PDP founder replaced Auqaf with state owned Waqf: NC

Srinagar, Apr 10: National Conference (NC) Additional General Secretary, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, today said that PDp founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Mufti stripped away elements of community participation by replacing Auqaf with state owned Waqf.

He said in a statement, “Mufti Sayeed stripped away the elements of community participation and relative institutional independence of Auqaf-e-Islamia in J&K, replacing it with a model rooted in state authority.”

Kamal said the actions taken by PDP founder had a detrimental impact on the autonomy and integrity of religious institutions in the region. He said that the shift implemented by Mufti has effectively placed the management of all major Khanqahs, associated assets and institutions directly under the control of a government-nominated body, rather than an autonomous Awqaf Board.

“This move signified a significant increase in government control over Waqf affairs, as the restructured body is now led by the Chief Minister and includes trustees appointed by the General Administration Department (GAD) of the state government. The previous system, which allowed for community participation and institutional independence, has been replaced with a trust model that is rooted in state authority,” Dr Kamal said.

He stated that the disaster for the Muslim Waqf Act of J&K occurred after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, following the alliance between the PDP and the BJP.