Sachnews Jammu Kashmir
Srinagar, April 15: National Conference (NC) MLA Tanvir Sadiq has responded sharply to allegations leveled by PDP leader Iltija Mufti. Sadiq accused the PDP of laying the groundwork for the current crisis by enabling government control over religious institutions and aligning politically with the BJP.
Speaking to reporters, Sadiq as per Sachnews Jammu Kashmir said the deterioration of the Auqaf (Waqf) system began under the leadership of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who, according to him, altered its independent structure.
"It was Auqaf, it used to be run by the people without political interference. Muslims contributed to it, and it managed religious sites independently. It was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who amended that structure and brought it under government control. Naeem Akhtar was the Vice Chairman then, and everything the Auqaf stood for was diluted and rebranded as the Muslim Auqaf Trust," Sadiq stated.
He argued that this shift paved the way for the present situation.
"That was the beginning of the end of Auqaf. It led to the Waqf Bill gaining influence over our religious institutions. Had Mufti Sayeed not interfered, the Waqf Bill passed by Parliament wouldn’t have impacted us the way it has."
The National Conference leader went further, tying the PDP’s political decisions to the loss of J&K's autonomy.
"If it weren’t for their decisions in 2014, 2019 wouldn’t have happened. And if 2019 hadn’t happened, Article 370 and statehood wouldn’t have been taken from us. PDP is directly responsible for this chain of events and has no moral ground to point fingers now."
Responding to Iltija Mufti’s recent charge of a “tacit understanding” between the NC and BJP, Sadiq said it was the PDP, not NC, who entered into a formal alliance with the BJP and shared power with them in the past.
"We never sat in a cabinet with the BJP. We never cancelled Martyrs' Day holidays. These are the same PDP leaders whose cabinet colleagues refused to fly the J&K flag on their cars or attend Martyrs' Day functions. These are the people who facilitated what happened in 2019."
On the ongoing Waqf Act, Sadiq expressed hope in the judiciary and reiterated his party's commitment to non-violent resistance.
"We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will hear our plea. India is a secular country, and every religion has the right to safeguard its properties and places of worship. Violence is not the answer. We have protested in the Assembly, and we will continue our fight through peaceful means and legal platforms, including the Supreme Court."