Law violates constitutional guarantees: Tanvir Sadiq
Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu, (DD):The National Conference (NC) has announced plans to move the Supreme Court against the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, terming it a grave violation of religious and property rights of the Muslim community.
“This legislation strikes at the heart of constitutional guarantees and religious freedoms. On the directions of our party president Dr Farooq Abdullah, we will file a writ petition in the Supreme Court,” said NC Chief Spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq.
He described the bill as “constitutionally alarming,” claiming it undermines fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, and 300A of the Indian Constitution. “This isn’t merely about Jammu and Kashmir — this is about safeguarding Muslim identity and rights across the country,” he stated.
The Waqf Bill has triggered a political storm, leading to three days of heated disruptions in the Assembly. Opposition parties, including the NC, PDP, Peoples Conference, and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), have accused the government of bulldozing the bill without proper debate or consensus.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather had refused to allow a discussion on the bill, stating that since it had already been passed by Parliament, the Assembly had no scope for debate — a position the opposition fiercely contested.
Wednesday, the final day of the Budget session, witnessed fresh uproar as BJP members stormed the well of the House, raising slogans and forcing the Speaker to adjourn the session sine die.
While the BJP has defended the legislation as a step toward ensuring transparency in Waqf property management, opposition parties claim it centralises control and weakens local community oversight.
Outside the Assembly, tensions flared further over a photograph of Dr Farooq and Omar Abdullah with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at the Tulip Garden. The image drew sharp reactions from rival leaders, who accused the NC of sending mixed political signals.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti called the photo “symbolic of the marginalisation of Muslims” and accused the NC of political doublespeak. In response, Omar Abdullah clarified that it was a “chance encounter” and defended the gesture as mere courtesy.
“Those who allied with the BJP and watched J&K burn have no right to question a photograph,” Omar said, hitting back at critics.
As legal and political battles intensify, the Waqf Bill is now set to face scrutiny in the country’s highest court — and on the court of public opinion.(DD)