Amendments to Waqf Act 2024: A Direct Assault on Kashmiri Muslims’ Religious Autonomy

The Mutahida Majlis-E-Ulema (MMU), a leading religious and social organization in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), has voiced strong opposition to the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, 2024. The amendments, according to the MMU, threaten to erode the autonomy and fundamental purpose of Waqf properties, triggering widespread unease among the Muslim community.

Under the patronage of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the MMU has raised alarms over the sweeping implications of these proposed changes. Waqf properties, central to the region’s religious, social, and charitable institutions, could face a serious setback, undermining the welfare and self-governance of the Muslim-majority territory. The MMU sees the amendments as another calculated move by the Indian government to weaken the religious and cultural fabric of Kashmir.

In a strongly worded statement, the MMU emphasized the urgent need for dialogue. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a letter to Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, demanded a timely audience to address the community’s concerns. “Considering the gravity of the situation and its potential impact on the community, we once again request you to give us an audience at the earliest possible time,” the letter stated.

The MMU insists that unilateral actions without consultation are unacceptable, particularly in a region with a Muslim-majority population. Farooq underscored the necessity for thoughtful deliberation, pointing out that the amendments could disrupt religious harmony and the operational independence of Waqf institutions. “A meeting will provide an opportunity for meaningful dialogue rather than unilateral actions,” he urged.

These amendments are seen as part of a broader pattern of systemic interference in the socio-religious autonomy of Kashmiri Muslims under India’s Hindutva-driven regime. Critics argue that targeting Waqf properties, a cornerstone of community welfare, is an overt strategy to erode Muslim identity and suppress dissent in the occupied territory.

The anxiety within the Kashmiri community is palpable, with fears that these changes could pave the way for greater control of religious institutions by New Delhi, further marginalizing the Muslim majority. Analysts view this as yet another facet of the Modi government’s oppressive agenda in IIOJK, aimed at consolidating its grip on the region.

The MMU’s call for dialogue is a reflection of the Kashmiri people’s unwavering resistance to efforts that threaten their autonomy and cultural heritage. The international community must take note of these developments and ensure that the rights and freedoms of Kashmiris are protected against such overreach.