Daijiworld Media Network – Srinagar
Srinagar, Apr 7: J&K People's Conference President Sajad Lone on Monday lashed out at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for walking alongside Union Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, days after the passage of the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.
Rijiju, who is currently on a visit to Srinagar, was seen taking a morning stroll in the Tulip Garden accompanied by Omar Abdullah and National Conference veteran Farooq Abdullah. The visuals of the walk quickly stirred a political row.
Reacting sharply, Lone told, “Being the only Muslim-majority province in India, the least the Muslim community deserved was for the Chief Minister to stay away from Rijiju, who passed this Bill, as a mark of protest. There was no need to meet him. It sends a very wrong message.”
Taking to social media platform X earlier in the day, Lone posted pictures from the walk and wrote: “The least Muslims of India deserved was that in J&K, the only Muslim-majority province in India, the CM, as a mark of protest, stays away from Kiren Rijiju, who presented the Waqf Bill. Instead, he tags along Farooq Sahib as well. What a shame.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, recently passed in Parliament, has drawn criticism from several quarters for allegedly undermining the autonomy of Waqf boards and diluting minority rights.
Meanwhile, Minister Rijiju posted a more cordial message on X after the walk: “A refreshing morning walk amid the vibrant hues of the Tulip Garden, Srinagar, with Hon’ble CM Shri Omar Abdullah ji and also glad to meet Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahab. Nature at its finest and conversations filled with warmth & vision, a truly special morning.”
Rijiju and Omar Abdullah had jointly inaugurated the Lok Sanvardhan Parv on Sunday, a cultural event celebrating the region’s artistic heritage while also focusing on its socio-political challenges.
Later, Sajad Lone reiterated his party’s opposition to the Waqf Bill and called for open debate. “We are in favour of discussion, and we will discuss this, as the Act is not yet sub judice the petition is not accepted yet,” he said.
With political tensions simmering over the Bill, the Tulip Garden stroll has turned into a symbol of political messaging one that has not gone down well with key opposition voices in the Valley.