Srinagar: National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar on Saturday denounced the Union Territory administration’s decision to ban donations at Muslim shrines across Kashmir, terming it “undue interference” in the religious practices of the people.
“It seems it is an attempt to defame the Muslims,” he said.
One needs to tread cautiously on religious matters so that people’s sentiments or religious feelings are not hurt, the NC leader said.
Sagar while addressing a press conference asked the administration to refrain from interfering in religious matters as devotees “donate in shrines out of their own free will”.
He said if someone is forcibly taking money from the people, then action can be taken against him, but it is wrong to create a narrative that these people deal wrongly with the masses.
He said the government by banning offerings at shrines which always reverberate with ‘Duroodo-Azkar’, is an attempt to bring disrepute to shrines and religious institutions of the Valley.
“They have maligned the images of parsons (Mujavirs) and we condemn it in strong words. Kashmir valley has always been an epitome of communal brotherhood and I think the decision to ban offerings at shrines across Kashmir is nothing but interference in religious affairs, which in no way is acceptable to us,” said Sagar.
“We condemn this attitude. We will not allow it,” Sagar added.
NC youth wing led by its president, Salman Ali Sagar also staged a peaceful protest at party headquarters, Nawai Subh here to press for the rollback of the decision.
They termed the Waqf Board decision as ‘unfair and unjust’ alleging that the move is aimed at defaming sacred religious institutions of the Valley by labeling parsons (Mujavir) as looters.
