Waqf Bill threatens religious freedom: Aga Ruhullah after meeting Mirwaiz
Srinagar 30 Jan: After meeting with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, National Conference (NC) leader and Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah has expressed serious concerns about the Waqf Bill and its implications for religious freedoms in India.
Speaking to KNS, he said he, along with the Mirwaiz, discussed the potential challenges the bill presents, particularly in terms of the rights of Muslims across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir. They both emphasized that the growing fear among the Muslim community is not just confined to Kashmir but extends to every state in India. waqf
The Waqf Bill, which has already been passed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), has sparked widespread concerns among Muslims, with many fearing that it could lead to the erosion of their constitutional rights to manage their religious affairs. Ruhullah stated that the bill, in its current form, poses a major challenge to Muslims in India. He criticized the amendments proposed to the bill, many of which were rejected, and warned that this could lead to Muslims being reduced to second-class citizens in their own country.
Ruhullah pointed out that the issue is not just confined to Kashmir but is part of a broader, national concern. He linked the Waqf Bill to the larger trend of legislative changes affecting the Muslim community, such as the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Ruhullah stressed that these moves are part of a concerted effort to undermine the rights and freedoms of Muslims across the country. He argued that the very essence of India’s secular and pluralistic identity is being threatened as bills like the Waqf Bill move forward, gradually stripping away religious freedoms for minorities, especially Muslims.
The NC leader also expressed concerns about the future of Kashmiri youth, who are increasingly facing challenges in an environment that seems to be becoming more hostile to their rights and opportunities. Ruhullah highlighted how these legislative changes could further hinder their prospects, especially in a time when young people are already grappling with significant socio-political challenges.
In light of this, Ruhullah called for unity among opposition parties in Parliament to resist the passage of the bill. He urged members from different political affiliations, particularly those sympathetic to minority rights, to collaborate in defense of religious freedoms. Although the government holds the numerical advantage in Parliament, with support from leaders like Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, Ruhullah stated that the opposition would continue to make efforts to block the bill.
Despite the challenges, Ruhullah stressed the importance of political resistance to ensure that the bill does not pass. He noted that this fight is not just for the Muslim community but for the very foundations of India’s constitution. The outcome of this ongoing debate will have far-reaching consequences for the rights of minorities in India and will determine the future of religious freedom in the country.
Ruhullah concluded by reaffirming that the struggle is not just about defending Muslims’ rights but preserving India’s core values of secularism, equality, and religious freedom for all citizens. (KNS)
