CM Omar-Kiren Rijiju Tulip Garden photo stirs Waqf pot

Srinagar, Apr 7: A “chance meeting” between Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at Asia's largest Tulip Garden here Monday triggered a political storm with opposition parties dubbing it as ‘Waqf law bonhomie’.

Sources in the ruling National Conference (NC) said that Omar Abdullah was accompanying his father and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah after the latter expressed a wish to visit the Tulip Garden which is in full bloom these days.

The sources said the father-son duo bumped into Rijiju, who had also come to visit the garden early in the morning.

The politicians from the opposite sides of the political spectrum exchanged pleasantries before heading their separate ways, they said.

Rijiju posted the pictures with the Abdullahs on his X handle, triggering the controversy as opposition parties accused the NC of laying out a red carpet for the BJP leader in the aftermath of the Waqf Amendment Act.

The NC sources termed the interaction as purely a “chance meeting” and brushed aside outrage over it saying opposition parties were “fishing in the desert”.

The opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and People’s Conference (PC) targeted the NC over the meeting, and accused it of surrendering to the BJP without even a pretence over the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill.

"Waqf Law bonhomie! So soon. Not even a pretence while the ruling party members indulge in drama in the assembly over the issue. Mr Rijiju piloted the bill in Parliament as minority affairs minister," PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said.

Another PDP leader Waheed Para, said the Muslims of J&K have been “reduced to props” in the government's “political theatre” – useful on stage, but far too inconvenient to represent when real decisions are to be made.

“Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has rejected the Waqf Bill outrightly because they have the spine to show opposition, NC keeps surrendering for political gains at the cost of our people and institutions," Para posted on X.

The Pulwama MLA said the NC has rolled out a red carpet at the Tulip Garden for the union minister, who introduced and defended the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Parliament.

“Let’s be clear: No resolution on Waqf is silent approval. And the NC MLAs can protest for optics all they want. But we know that the CM and NC patron have rolled out a red carpet in the Tulip Garden for none other than Kiren Rijiju - the very minister who introduced and defended the bill in Parliament,” he said.

“Who would have thought that ‘defending minority rights’ looks like a giggling photo op in full bloom? Talk about abandoning the so-called sweeping mandate!” Para said.

People’s Conference (PC) chief Sajad Lone said the CM should have stayed away from the union minister as a mark of protest.

“The least the Muslims of India deserved was that in J&K, the only Muslim majority province in India, the CM as a mark of protest stays away from Mr Kiren Rijju, who presented the Waqf Bill. Instead, he tags along Farooq Sahab as well. What a shame,” Lone posted on X.

Union Minister Rijiju posted photographs of his meeting with the Abdullahs and said the captivating Tulip Garden is the grandest in Asia.

“A refreshing morning walk amid the vibrant hues of the Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, with Hon'ble CM Shri @OmarAbdullah ji and also glad to meet Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahab,” he posted on X.

“With an astonishing number of varieties, this garden is a true masterpiece. Let’s cheer for the record visitors each year as they immersed themselves in the beauty of these vibrant blooms,” he said.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by Parliament last week.