Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Condemns IIOJK Speaker’s Refusal to Address Waqf Bill

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq criticizes the IIOJK Assembly Speaker for failing to address the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, accusing him of betraying public trust and neglecting Muslim interests.

Senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader and head of Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has strongly condemned the refusal of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Assembly Speaker to discuss the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill, passed by the Indian parliament. Mirwaiz described the Speaker’s actions as a betrayal of public trust and a failure to protect the rights of the Muslim-majority region.

In his statement, Mirwaiz questioned the Speaker’s reluctance to address the Waqf Bill, pointing out the irony that Tamil Nadu, a state with only 6% Muslim population, had passed a strong resolution opposing the bill, while the Speaker of the Muslim-majority IIOJK Assembly hid behind technicalities to avoid the issue. Mirwaiz expressed frustration over the Speaker’s refusal to engage with a matter that is of deep concern to Muslims in the region, especially given the ongoing struggles since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.

“It is ridiculous and condemnable that Tamil Nadu, which only has 6% Muslim population, passes a strong anti-Waqf resolution in its assembly, while the Muslim-majority Kashmir Assembly Speaker is struggling and refusing to discuss this deeply concerning issue for the Muslims of the state,” said Mirwaiz.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq further reminded the Speaker that his party, the National Conference, had garnered significant support on the promise of defending Muslim rights post-August 2019. The Mirwaiz stressed that the people had entrusted the party with a mandate to protect their interests, yet the Speaker seemed to be capitulating in the face of critical challenges, rather than standing firm for the community’s rights.

“The strong mandate given to his party was for the very reason that they promised to safeguard the interests of the people, especially those who have been suffering since August 2019. Why is he capitulating so meekly in the face of such a critical issue?” Mirwaiz questioned.

The statement by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq sheds light on the growing dissatisfaction with the leadership’s handling of key issues affecting the Muslim-majority population in IIOJK. It calls for accountability and a renewed commitment to standing up for the rights and welfare of the people, especially in the face of challenges that threaten their cultural and religious identity.