The political atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir is heating up as opposition parties take aim at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference Patron Farooq Abdullah for their appearance with Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju at Asia’s largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar. The event, which was described by Rijiju as a “refreshing morning walk” filled with “warmth and vision,” has drawn sharp criticism from Kashmir based political leaders who accuse the Abdullahs of undermining the interests of the Muslim community.
Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti expressed her discontent, stating that Jammu and Kashmir, being a Muslim-majority state, should have taken a firm stand against the Waqf amendment bill introduced by Rijiju in Parliament. “We were hoping that the Omar Abdullah government would pass a resolution against the Waqf amendment,” Mufti said. “Instead, they are rolling out the red carpet for the very minister responsible for this bill.”
---Advertisement---
Mufti further lamented the deteriorating conditions for minorities, particularly Muslims, under the current administration. “First, they started with the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and now they’ve amended the Waqf bill. They have bulldozed houses of Muslims, and now they are targeting Waqf properties, which are vital for our community,” she added. Mufti’s comments reflect a growing concern among opposition leaders that these legislative changes are part of a broader agenda to marginalize Muslims in India.
---Advertisement---
Criticism continued to mount as Mufti pointed out that the JK Assembly Speaker had rejected a motion regarding the Waqf Bill, which she described as “profoundly disappointing.” She urged the National Conference to take inspiration from Tamil Nadu’s government, which has opposed the Waqf Bill, highlighting the need for a more assertive stance in defending the rights of Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir.
Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone echoed Mufti’s sentiments, stating, “The least Muslims of India deserve is for the Chief Minister of JK, the only Muslim-majority province in India, to stay away from Mr. Kiren Rijiju as a mark of protest. Instead, he tags along with Farooq sahib. What a shame.”
Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, also weighed in on the controversy, questioning the appropriateness of Abdullah’s actions. “What’s left to say when the Chief Minister of India’s only Muslim-majority state gives a red carpet welcome to the BJP minister who introduced the Waqf bill meant to disempower and debilitate Muslims?” she said. “This stands in stark contrast to Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, who showed spine by swiftly introducing a resolution against the Waqf Bill.”
Also Read: High Alert In Kashmir Valley As Home Minister Amit Shah To Land In Srinagar