Jammu, March 24: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday cautioned against targeting a single community, stressing that such actions would only escalate tensions. Abdullah made the comments while addressing the media regarding ongoing protests against the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Abdullah explained that the charitable activities of the Muslim community are largely carried out through the Waqf Board, which has been a crucial institution for such efforts. He emphasized that all religions engage in charitable work and that singling out one community could lead to increased unrest.
“There is no religion that does not do charitable activities. The charitable activities of the Muslim community happen through Waqf… Only one community is being targeted. It is obvious there would be tensions surrounding it,” Abdullah stated.
This remark came in the wake of a nationwide agitation announced by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which aims to reform the management of Waqf properties. The board expressed concern over the bill, calling it “discriminatory and damaging” to the community. A statement issued by AIMPLB noted that following a successful protest in Delhi on March 17, the organization has planned further protests in Patna on March 26 and Vijayawada on March 29.
SQR Ilyas, spokesperson for AIMPLB, thanked various minority groups and opposition parties for their support in the protests and expressed their resolve to oppose the bill through legal and constitutional means. The Board’s Action Committee has planned additional public conferences, seminars, and protests across the country.
In response to the protests, BJP MP and Waqf JPC Chairman Jaagdambika Pal criticized the AIMPLB’s actions, accusing them of trying to “create instability” in the country. He questioned why the AIMPLB was protesting when the amended bill had not yet been introduced, adding that the committee had already taken into account the views of the AIMPLB before incorporating them into the proposed reforms.
“The law has not even been made yet, so why are they warning for a nationwide protest?” Pal said. “Imran Masood was a member of the JPC, and he took part in the clause-by-clause voting process. He knows that a better act is on its way… The new law will benefit the poor and remove those who benefitted themselves, yet they are protesting to spread anarchy.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address the challenges related to Waqf properties by introducing reforms such as digitization, enhanced audits, increased transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties.