By | Kamran Ashraf Bhat ( News Director)
Srinagar: The political climate in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified as former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti locked horns over the recently introduced Waqf Amendment Bill.
Expressing strong discontent, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah criticized the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for not allowing a debate on the bill. Speaking to the media, he said lawmakers had been trying for three days to raise concerns on behalf of the region’s majority population, but were continuously denied a platform.
“The bill passed in Parliament has hurt the sentiments of a large section of Jammu and Kashmir’s population,” said Omar. “If elected representatives can’t speak for their people inside the House, where else should they raise their voice?”
While stressing that the National Conference will continue to voice its opposition outside the Assembly, Omar hinted that the party’s official stance on the bill will soon be clarified by its leadership. He also launched a sharp counterattack on the PDP, accusing them of past alliances with the BJP and misleading the youth of Kashmir for political gain. He dismissed recent criticism over his brief encounter with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at the Tulip Garden, calling it politically motivated.
Meanwhile, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti came out swinging, calling the chaos in the Assembly a “drama” orchestrated by the ruling party to divert attention from key issues. “If the Speaker belongs to the ruling party, then what’s the need for this ruckus?” she questioned.
She alleged that the commotion was aimed at overshadowing three important bills recently cleared by the Lieutenant Governor — including those concerning the regularization of daily wagers, land rights for the poor, and a proposed liquor ban.
Mehbooba further criticized Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah for warmly welcoming Minister Kiren Rijiju at the Tulip Garden, just days after he introduced the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. “At a time when Muslims across the country feel under siege, such gestures send the wrong message,” she said.
Accusing Omar Abdullah of remaining silent on non-local domiciles and alleged land allotments for satellite towns, she claimed he was complicit in implementing a broader agenda targeting the region’s demographic and cultural fabric.
Moreover, Mehbooba Mufti announced that the PDP will soon challenge the Waqf Amendment Bill in court.
