In a sharp political move, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has called on the ruling National Conference-led alliance in Jammu and Kashmir to pass a resolution in the assembly rejecting the controversial amendments to the Waqf Act passed by the Parliament. As the Budget session neared its close on Wednesday, Mufti criticized the government’s inaction and accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of legitimizing what she called a unilateral move against the interests of India’s Muslim community.
Call for Resolution Amid Final Assembly Session Day
With Wednesday marking the likely conclusion of the current Budget session of the J&K assembly, Mehbooba Mufti took to social media platform X to express her concerns. She urged the ruling alliance to set aside political optics and focus on passing a resolution against the amended Waqf Bill, which she believes undermines the autonomy of religious institutions in the region.
She stressed that the issue should not be reduced to a political spectacle and called for urgent legislative action. The PDP chief emphasized the importance of a clear stand by the state’s leadership, given the sensitivities involved and the implications of the central government’s intervention in religious matters.
Red Carpet Welcome to Rijiju Triggers Criticism
Mufti also raised eyebrows over a recent meeting between Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Srinagar’s Tulip Garden. Describing the encounter as more than coincidental, she claimed it was a calculated move to send a symbolic message to India’s 24 crore Muslims.
According to Mufti, Rijiju’s visit, coming shortly after the Waqf amendments were “bulldozed” through Parliament, appeared to be designed to signal that the sentiments of the Muslim community held little significance in national decision-making. She further alleged that the Chief Minister’s warm reception of Rijiju amounted to a public endorsement of the centre’s actions, further alienating the already disillusioned Muslim population.
She argued that Abdullah’s response lent legitimacy to what is widely perceived as a top-down imposition with little regard for the community’s concerns. The PDP leader said the visual optics of the event, set against the vibrant backdrop of Asia’s largest tulip garden, gave an impression of celebration amid community-wide disempowerment and marginalisation.
