'Don't misread our cooperation as surrender': National conference led alliance passes resolution against Waqf bill, bureaucratic control

April 4, 2025 by News Desk

Shah Basit

The National Conference-led alliance has issued a strong condemnation of the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, labeling it as anti-Muslim and an affront to the religious and cultural institutions of Jammu Kashmir.

This resolution was a key outcome of a high-level meeting convened in Srinagar, where alliance leaders also cautioned the central government and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration against undermining the authority of the democratically elected government.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in the Rajya Sabha on April 4, 2025, has faced significant opposition.

Critics argue that the bill introduces reforms that could centralize control over Waqf properties, potentially impacting the autonomy of Muslim religious endowments

The bill proposes the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf boards and assigns district collectors the authority to determine the status of Waqf properties, changes that have sparked controversy and dissent among various stakeholders.

Tanvir Sadiq, the senior National Conference legislator from Zadibal, addressed the media following the alliance meeting.

He emphasized that the alliance’s cooperation with the Lieutenant Governor and New Delhi should not be misconstrued as political weakness.

Sadiq highlighted growing concerns over bureaucratic interference in governance, particularly referencing recent abrupt transfers and postings of KAS officers, which have caused widespread dissatisfaction among legislators.

“This is our last warning,” Sadiq stated firmly. “We are not here to merely endorse files; we were elected by the people to govern. Our coordination with the Lieutenant Governor and New Delhi should not be misread. We are trying to maintain dignity in governance, but that should not be taken as a sign of political weakness or submission.”

The alliance passed two significant resolutions during the meeting. The first condemned the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, describing it as anti-Muslim and an affront to the religious and cultural institutions of the region. The second resolution demanded that the Centre respect the democratic mandate of Jammu and Kashmir’s people, emphasizing that the authority of an elected government must not be sidelined.

Congress legislator Nizamuddin Bhat echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of preserving the sanctity of the legislature.

“The sanctity of our institutions is being diluted. Delhi must understand that the voice of the people cannot be replaced by files moved behind closed doors,” Bhat asserted.

This unified stance by the NC-led alliance underscores the escalating tensions between the elected government of Jammu Kashmir and the central authorities, particularly in light of recent legislative actions and administrative decisions perceived as encroachments on the region’s autonomy.