On Friday, Kashmir’s prominent religious leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, will speak his concerns over the draft legislation before the parliamentary panel on the Waqf Amendment Bill. It’s a huge moment for him as he fights to alter provisions in the bill that would impact how Waqf property is managed and operated — and which could have a devastating effect on underprivileged Muslims.
Opposition leaders today objected to the draft legislation, and after hearing them out, the Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, chaired by BJP leader Jagdambika Pal, deferred its detailed clause-by-clause discussions on the proposed law to next week. It has now set its detailed deliberations for Monday to allow for broader consultation.
The lawyers for justice group is also part of the committee scheduled to hear their perspective on Friday apart from Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Late Thursday night, the committee issued a revised schedule for its proceedings. Also notable is that Mirwaiz Farooq was all set to meet Pal at his (Mirwaiz’s) house before the formal discussions.
Earlier, the Mirwaiz’s Muttahida Majlis e Ulema (MMU) also issued a statement regarding the statement of the delegation. Some provisions of the bill opposed by the MMU could impede the management of Waqf property by undermining the welfare of underprivileged Islamic communities, the MMU contended.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s appearance here also makes this a momentous occasion for him — it is the first time he has stepped out of the Kashmir Valley since Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was abrogated in 2019. The Mirwaiz, who heads the largely defunct separatist group Hurriyat Conference, wants a joined front on the issue and wants the Kashmiri community’s concerns to be heard in the national forum. From the discussions, the outcome might affect Waqf management and nonautonomy of the religious endowments with lasting implications.
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