Jammu, Feb 20 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday told the J&K Legislative Assembly that the Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar issued the order regarding charity collections at the insistence of religious leaders and not on his own.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, the CM, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that he had inquired into the matter after allegations surfaced that the government was interfering in religious affairs.
“It came to light that the DC did not issue the order on his own. Ahead of Ramadan, all deputy commissioners were instructed to consult people to begin preparations for the holy month. During that meeting, religious leaders and locals from Kishtwar and surrounding areas met the DC. They expressed concerns that some individuals had established fake NGOs during Ramadan to collect donations, but the use of that money remained unclear. It was also said that sometimes donations were collected in the name of patients, but it was uncertain whether those patients actually existed,” he said.
He informed the House that the DC was asked to take measures to protect genuine NGOs from harm caused by such misuse. “The DC was urged to issue an appropriate order to regulate this, and he did so following their request,” the CM added.
He further said the order was welcomed by the Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar, other religious leaders, and local residents.
The CM urged members of the House to refrain from politicising the issue. “I request the Hon’ble member and other members that we should not politicise every matter,” he said.
The issue was raised by MLA Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat on Thursday in the House.
“This is intruding into privacy. Is Sadaqah and Zakat to be subjected to administrative scrutiny? Our Shariah says the left hand should not know what the right hand donates,” he had said.
Bhat had called the directive “absolutely unconstitutional, ultra vires, bad in law, and provocative.”—(KNO)