Discussion on Waqf should have been allowed in Assembly: Tarigami

‘People have not elected yes-men’

Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Apr 14: Stating that the discussion on the Waqf Amendment Act should have been allowed in the Assembly, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and Kulgam MLA M.Y. Tarigami today said that people have not elected their representatives to be “yes-men.”

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Addressing a press conference, Tarigami said that it was essential for J&K to express its opinion; however, he noted that the discussion was not allowed.
“The members in the House had demanded a discussion on the Waqf Act, and it was essential for J&K to express its opinion. But no discussion was held; people did not elect us to beg and be yes-men, but to advocate for justice,” he added.
He said that the CPI(M) passed resolutions demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and opposing the Waqf Amendment Act during the party’s 24th Congress held recently in Madurai, Tamil Nadu
“Our party has sent out a clear message to the people of J&K that we stand with them in their struggle to reclaim their constitutional rights,” he said.
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, Tarigami said: “Our rights were snatched on August 5, 2019. The special constitutional relationship that J&K had with the rest of the country was assaulted. Unfortunately, the assaults have not stopped.”
The resolution noted that despite commitments made by the Government of India, both in Parliament and in the Supreme Court on statehood, “the BJP and its appointed Lieutenant Governor are obstructing the functioning of the Omar Abdullah Government.”
“The recent large number of transfers of J&K cadre officials have further fuelled anxiety and undermined the authority of the elected legislature,” he added.
“Employees are being terminated without due process. The Minimum Wages Act, though committed to by the Government, has not been implemented in J&K,” Tarigami said, adding that “workers are suffering, and there is no justice.”
He also raised concerns over “punitive actions” taken against job seekers based on their relatives’ alleged wrongdoings.
The party, through the resolution, has demanded the immediate granting of full statehood to Jammu & Kashmir as a step toward the restoration of special status, protection of land and job rights, and restoration of democratic, civil, and trade union rights.
On the Waqf Amendment Act, Tarigami said the CPI(M) strongly opposed the law arguing that it singles out the Muslim community.
“A resolution was passed against the Waqf Amendment Act. The Government used its parliamentary majority to pass the bill. If reforms were necessary, why were they targeted only at Muslim-managed bodies? Aren’t there other communities that need reforms too?” he asked.
Tarigami said the party believes such legislation amounts to interference in the affairs of religious communities and particularly targets Muslims.
“Others have ensured that their communities manage such institutions autonomously. But now, even non-Muslims will be allowed to interfere in Waqf matters. This is a direct hit on the Constitution of India,” he said.

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