No Proper Consultation Held Before Introducing Waqf Bill in Parliament: Mirwaiz Umar
Mosques, religious institutions at Risk of Govt Control; NC's Statement on liquor "Unfortunate"; Kashmiri Pandit return must be inclusive, not in separate settlements; Govt should follow Liquor Ban models instead of promoting Alcohol
Srinagar, Feb 16 : Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday said that the Waqf-e-Jadid Bill completely ignores the concerns of the Muslim community, posing threat to religious institutions and their autonomy.
Speaking to reporters here at Mirgund Budgam after Participating in interfaith dialogue, Mirwaiz said that muslims concerns were ignored in Waqf Bill.
He said that no proper consultation was held with stakeholders before introducing the bill in Parliament, and it was being enforced without discussion. He warned that this would put mosques, Darazgahs, Imam Bara’a, and other Waqf-related properties under government control, which he strongly opposed.
Replying a question on upcoming assembly session, Mirwaiz condemned statements suggesting liquor should be allowed in Jammu and Kashmir for tourism and revenue generation saying that hat J&K has always been a tourist destination and does not need alcohol sales to boost tourism. He said that the statement by National Conference to allow liquor for revenue generation is unfortunate.
Citing examples from other Indian states where liquor is banned, Mirwaiz said that the government should follow such models rather than promoting alcohol consumption, which is already damaging society. He said that open liquor consumption has led to social problems, including substance abuse among the youth.
On being asked about the issue of Kashmiri Pandits, Mirwaiz said that their return should be based on mutual understanding and inclusivity. He added that intra-community discussions involving scholars, society, and political leaders are must to ensure their safe and dignified return.
Mirwaiz rejected the idea of separate settlements for Kashmiri Pandits in South Kashmir, saying that Kashmir has always been a shared space for people of different faiths. He also said that many Kashmiri Pandits themselves wish to return in a way that maintains the J&K’s traditional coexistence.
He said that the government’s actions against employees were a matter of concern, as many were being dismissed without proper investigation or legal proceedings. He said such measures were unfair and pushed families into distress.
Mirwaiz also said that restrictions on Islamic literature were unjustified, questioning why the government should decide what people can read.
He also said that dialogue and engagement were necessary to resolve the J&K’s challenges.
Government must take concrete steps, especially regarding political prisoners who have been jailed for years without fair trials, Mirwaiz said, adding that authorities should release them and ensure justice for their families, as their continued detention is a major issue that must be addressed.
