Srinagar, Apr 3 (UNI) Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), the region’s largest religious representative body led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Thursday criticized the passing of the Waqf Amendment Bill, terming it as a "violation" of the constitutional right to freedom of religion and a direct interference in Muslim religious affairs.



The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill well past midnight on Wednesday after marathon debate. The Bill was passed by a division of votes, with 288 in favor and 232 against



“I think that as far as this Bill is concerned, it violates the Article 25 of the Constitution of India which guarantees right to freedom of religion to people in the country…It is not a good thing to interfere in someone's personal laws,” Rather told reporters on Thursday.



Meanwhile, MMU- which had met the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in January to voice serious concerns over the proposed amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, expressed deep anguish over its passage, calling it a direct interference in Muslim religious affairs.



“The amended bill is direct interference in the religious affairs of Muslims with a view to curtail the autonomy of these bodies by the centre and control them further. The ostensible intent projected -of improved functioning of Waqf institutions does not cut ice , as Muslims are aware of the larger political agenda and approach towards them , by those who brought the bill in Parliament. It is a deliberate attempt to undermine the religious and community institutions of Muslims and encroach upon them over time,” the MMU said in a statement.



The MMU has convened a meeting of its members on Monday to deliberate upon the matter.

“ MMU leadership is already in touch with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and other prominent Muslim organizations across India to discuss a collective and unified response to this development,” the statement said.

All the major Kashmir based political parties had voiced strong opposition to the Bill, terming it as an "attack on Muslim rights" and an attempt to erode the autonomy of the Waqf Boards.



UNI MJR SJC