Waqf Bill amendment is an attack on rights of minorities: Tarigami

Srinagar, April 14: Asserting that the recent Waqf Bill amendment was an “attack on rights of minorities”, senior CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam, MY Tarigami on Monday said his party has recently adopted a resolution at its 24th Congress held in Tamil Nadu, seeking withdrawal of the “divisive and unjust” Waqf Amendment Act.

Addressing a press conference at his official residence here, Tarigami said another resolution was adopted at the CPI (M) conclave that “sought to restore full statehood and democracy in Jammu & Kashmir”. “The earlier Waqf Act was a legal framework governing Waqf properties and ensuring their proper administration. In the name of reforms, why has a Muslim institution been targeted?” asked Tarigami.

He said despite “Islamic injunctions prohibiting non-Muslims from managing Waqf properties, the amendment act includes non-Muslims in Waqf Board”. “This is an attack on the constitutional rights of Muslims. The resolution of the party adopted at the Tamil Nadu conclave, has highlighted that the attack on minorities is an attack on the Constitution,” Tarigami added. He said even in the recently held Budget session of the J&K Assembly, the need for a discussion on the Waqf Bill amendment was raised. “ There should have been a debate on the Waqf amendment. We have been chosen by the people to raise their issues and we must do that,” he added.

Commenting on the resolution adopted by the CPI (M), Tarigami said since August 5, 2019, there has “been an assault on people’s rights in J&K”. “We have demanded immediate granting of full statehood to J&K as a step towards restoration of special status. Besides, there must be protection of land and job rights,” Tarigami further said. He said the resolution adopted also sought release of detenues.

He also highlighted the need for “protection of democratic, civil and trade union rights”. “There are need-based employees and laborers who have been exploited and despite their rights under Minimum Wages Act, they are deprived of this,” he said. Tarigami said government employees who are punished due to the anti-national activities done by their relatives are unjustified and must be stopped.

Asserting the need for freedom of press, Tarigami said that the non-existent newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir were getting government advertisements. He demanded that this practice must be stopped immediately. When asked why instead of conducting discussions for three days, this period was unutilized in the recently held Budget session of the Assembly, Tarigami said, "I am not a part of the government".

However, he said he was a part of the alliance and always "ready to support anything good done by the government."