Mehbooba Mufti Thanks Non-BJP CMs for Opposing Waqf Amendment Act, Calls Their Stand a Beacon of Hope

Srinagar, Apr 12, : Peoples Democratic Party president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday extended heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka for what she termed their “courageous and principled stand” against the controversial Waqf Amendment Act.

Mehbooba Mufti announced that she had written personal letters to West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu’s M.K. Stalin, and Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah, lauding their open dissent against the central government’s approach to Waqf properties and minority rights.

“In today’s India, where dissent is often criminalised, your unequivocal voices come as a breath of fresh air,” Mufti wrote in her letter, describing their stance as a rare glimmer of hope in increasingly difficult times. “As residents of Jammu and Kashmir — the only Muslim-majority region in the country — we find solace and inspiration in your unwavering stance.”

Mehbooba Mufti expressed concern over what she called a growing majoritarian tide in the country, warning that India’s foundational values of plurality and diversity were under threat. She cited the Waqf Amendment Act as the latest example of a broader pattern of targeting minorities, especially Muslims.

“These arbitrary laws are not just legislative overreach but a blow to religious freedom,” Mufti asserted. She further drew parallels between the recent Waqf-related changes and the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019, calling both moves a part of a “systemic erosion of rights” faced by Muslims in India.

Referring to the Chief Ministers’ public opposition to the amendment, Mufti wrote, “Your courage and clarity have been a rare beacon of hope. Alongside a few principled voices, you have stood up for justice and for the inclusive idea of India.”

The PDP chief emphasized the importance of collective action, expressing hope that with the continued support of leaders like Banerjee, Stalin, and Siddaramaiah, India could reclaim its constitutional values and restore its secular and democratic character.

Her outreach comes amid heightened political tension surrounding minority rights and religious freedoms in the country, with opposition leaders increasingly voicing concerns over the ruling BJP’s handling of sensitive legislation and governance practices.

Copies of the letters were also shared on Mufti’s social media accounts, sparking debate over the Waqf Act and the political climate in Jammu and Kashmir and beyond.