Srinagar, Jan 31: Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti has written to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Telugu Desam Party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, urging them to oppose the proposed Waqf amendment bill. In a letter shared on her social media, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister described the bill as “unconstitutional, unconscionable, and authoritarian,” arguing that it undermines the Waqf Act’s core objective of protecting religious and charitable properties for the Muslim community.
Mufti expressed concern that the bill comes amid a decade-long trend of political, social, and economic marginalization of Muslims. She criticized the government for disregarding opposition concerns, calling the parliamentary consultation process a mere “farce” without genuine efforts to engage with affected communities. According to her, the proposed amendments pose a direct threat to fundamental rights and reflect a growing majoritarianism that has fueled bigotry since 2014.
She further invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of an inclusive India, warning that the bill could threaten the nation’s secular fabric. Appealing to Kumar and Naidu—both key allies of the NDA government—Mufti urged them to use their influence to prevent the bill’s passage, warning that it could harm national unity and communal harmony.
The proposed amendment has sparked intense debate, with opposition parties and minority organizations voicing strong objections, fearing it could erode the rights of the Muslim community.[KNT]
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