Cutting Across Party Lines, J&K Leaders Lambast Waqf Bill

CM Omar was among the first to oppose the bill and his party's (NC) two MPs will vote against it

- Mir Ehsan

SRINAGAR: Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for trying to disempower Muslims of India by introduction of Waqf bill in Parliament. However, J&K Waqf Board president and senior BJP leader, Darakshan Andrabi backed the bill which was introduced in the house on Wednesday.

J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah was among the first J&K political leaders to oppose the bill on Tuesday and the party's two MPs will vote against this bill.

"For us to accept this bill is very difficult as only one religion is being targeted through this bill," Omar told media persons after inauguration of free women bus service in Srinagar on Tuesday.

Legislator from Handwara Sajad Lone voiced strong opposition to the proposed amendment to Waqf laws, terming it an attack on the religious rights of Muslims.

"Waqf by definition is the custodian of properties which are collectively owned by Muslims. It is an Islamic concept," he wrote on X.