Srinagar: The Modi government’s introduction of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 has sparked significant outcry among various groups in India and occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with accusations of it being a direct interference in Muslim religious practices.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the bill is perceived by many as a tool for undermining Muslim autonomy and faith, being labeled as discriminatory and a covert attempt to limit the religious freedoms of the Muslim community. The legislation is seen not only as a political move to dismantle Muslim institutions but also as an effort to silence prominent religious voices within the community.

Critics, including religious scholars, civil society members, and political activists, have described the bill as a continuation of efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration to curtail the religious rights and cultural identity of Muslims. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, expressed concerns that the bill would significantly weaken the influence and governance of Muslim institutions across India, especially in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir.