Srinagar: Taking a cue from Peoples Democratic Party, the National Conference too announced to move the Supreme Court to challenge the Waqf Amendment Act, the party’s chief spokesperson and legislator Tanvir Sadiq announced on Wednesday.
Earlier, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti today said that ruling party has been indulging in drama from last three days as party’s CM Omar Abdullah and President Dr Farooq were seen hobnobbing with the same Minister of Minority Affairs in Tulip Garden who presented the Waqf amendment bill in the Parliament.
“Across India, Muslims are being targeted and sidelined by the BJP. The party is carrying out an all-out assault against Muslims in the country.
By welcoming Kiren Rijiju, both Farooq and Omar have sent a message to the entire Muslim community that the National Conference supports the bill amendment passed in the Parliament. “
She said PDP will challenge the Waqf bill amendment legally and is currently consulting Supreme Court lawyers.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters outside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly—shortly after the House was adjourned sine die— NC s[okesperson said the move comes under the directive of NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah.
“On the direction of President Farooq Abdullah, the National Conference will file a writ petition in the Supreme Court. This legal battle will now be fought there,” Sadiq stated.
He described the Waqf Amendment Act as a serious constitutional infringement on the religious rights of the Muslim community, calling it “alarming interference.”
“The Act violates fundamental constitutional protections guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, and 300A. It is a direct attack on the religious freedom, equality, and property rights of Muslims across the country,” the NC spokesperson asserted.
CM Omar Slams ‘PDP, PC for targeting him in House amid Waqf Amendment Act Uproar’
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday launched a veiled counterattack against the PDP and Peoples Conference for their recent remarks targeting him during the Legislative Assembly proceedings, which were marked by uproar over the controversial Waqf Amendment Act.
Speaking to reporters outside the Legislature complex—shortly after the Assembly was adjourned sine die—Omar addressed the political storm that had dominated the House over the past three days.
Commenting on the uproar regarding the Waqf Amendment Act, the Chief Minister as per news agency KINS, said, “A majority of the members in the House wanted to express their concerns and echo the sentiments of the people of the only Muslim-majority state in the country. Unfortunately, they were not given the opportunity to do so.”
He added that the National Conference would soon announce its stance regarding the Act. “Our party spokesperson or President will brief the media about the next course of action,” he said.
Responding to critical remarks made against him in his absence, Omar said, “Those who sat in BJP’s lap, who talked about distributing milk and toffees, and who misled the youth of J&K by distributing cricket bats and dragging them to a rally of the then Union Home Minister, are now speaking against me.”
He further alleged that the same individuals had facilitated BJP’s political entry into Jammu and Kashmir and have yet to apologize for the 2016 civilian killings. “These are the ones now criticising me,” he stated.
Omar also dismissed criticism over his recent appearance in photographs at the Tulip Garden with a Union Minister, saying it was merely a “chance meeting.”
Later, National Conference spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, flanked by party legislators, held a brief press conference outside the Legislature complex. He announced that the party would legally challenge the Waqf Amendment Act in court.
