Indian Muslims have been protesting on the streets since the day the Wakf Amendment Bill was renamed and re-drafted by Parliament. Will their demands be acknowledged, or will their voices be overlooked as they were during the protests in Shaheen Bagh against the Citizenship Amendment Bill? It appears that hope is dwindling.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defends its actions through various welfare initiatives aimed at the Muslim community, such as the Triple Talaq Bill, the Citizenship Amendment, the abrogation of Article 370, and the Wakf Amendment Bill

The government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defends its actions through various welfare initiatives aimed at the Muslim community, such as the Triple Talaq Bill, the Citizenship Amendment, the abrogation of Article 370, and the Wakf Amendment Bill. However, many Muslims remain sceptical of the BJP’s intentions, especially considering that Hindu women may require more support.

While the ruling and opposition parties were embroiled in a heated debate over a resolution against the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, images of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju enjoying the vibrant Tulip Garden in the valley went viral in the media.

Kiren Rijiju, India’s Minister of Law and Minority Affairs, recently presented the Waqf Board Amendment Bill in Parliament, which was subsequently passed. He claimed that this amendment is intended for the welfare of Muslims; however, twenty-five crore Muslims across India are not only grieving but also protesting nationwide. Muslims consider it a ‘Hinduasation’ of minority religious properties.

This amendment bill has been debated and criticised in various state assemblies across India. Condemnatory statements have been issued, protests have erupted on the streets, and confrontations with the police have occurred in many areas.

West Bengal, which has a Muslim population exceeding thirty-three per cent, has seen Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee pledge to uphold her commitment and not become a pawn in the BJP’s anti-Muslim policies

Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have declared the bill unconstitutional and announced that it will not be implemented in their states. West Bengal, which has a Muslim population exceeding thirty-three per cent, has seen Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee pledge to uphold her commitment and not become a pawn in the BJP’s anti-Muslim policies.

The situation in Kashmir is dire, as any dissent is met with intimidation or imprisonment, often labelling individuals as terrorists. The people endure severe restrictions and control, suffering in silence. Who would dare to raise their voice without hope for justice from the courts? However, a few activists dared to take a procession in the heart of Srinagar.

The viral images of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, and Kiren Rijuji’s visit to the Tulip Garden deeply offended the sentiments of the Kashmiri people. The suffocated population finds itself with no outlet to express their anguish or pain

The 250 million Indian Muslims, feeling powerless, likely anticipated that the Waqf Bill would be debated in the assembly of the Muslim-majority region of Jammu and Kashmir. At the very least, they expected a resolution opposing the bill. However, the speaker of the National Conference did not permit his party’s MLAs or opposition members to voice their concerns. Instead, the viral images of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, and Kiren Rijuji’s visit to the Tulip Garden deeply offended the sentiments of the Kashmiri people. The suffocated population finds itself with no outlet to express their anguish or pain.

For several days, the assembly was rife with chaos. On one side, BJP members shouted ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ while on the other, Muslim members chanted ‘Allahu Akbar.’ The atmosphere escalated to physical confrontations and abusive language. It became evident that the National Conference leadership was stifling discussions about the endowment under pressure from the BJP.

There is a growing perception of serious discord within the National Conference regarding the leadership’s ongoing silence and the assembly’s operations. This became apparent when several Members of the National Conference allied with the opposition against their speaker. In response, a top leadership meeting was convened to address public perception. Reports indicated that the leadership issued a stern warning to its members, which became evident the following day when the disgruntled legislators changed their positions.

The same Omar Abdullah, who had pleaded for votes against the BJP by expressing his discontent and removing his hat in front of voters during the campaign, is now neither discussing Article 370 nor allowing anyone to address the Waqf Amendment Bill

Most commentators suggest that the National Conference altered its course immediately after securing a clear majority in the recent elections. The same Omar Abdullah, who had pleaded for votes against the BJP by expressing his discontent and removing his hat in front of voters during the campaign, is now neither discussing Article 370 nor allowing anyone to address the Waqf Amendment Bill. He is even urging silence on matters that the BJP disapproves of. In a conversation, Omar Abdullah’s father, Farooq Abdullah, remarked that those who wish to confront the Centre may do so. Still, they will not engage in such actions despite having criticised the BJP for the Centre’s anti-Kashmir policies during the election campaign.

Aga Ruhullah, a discontented member of the National Conference (NC), was denied the opportunity to address the Parliament

Aga Ruhullah, a discontented member of the National Conference (NC), was denied the opportunity to address the Parliament. His engagement with the public has resulted in a charge sheet concerning land scams that date back two decades. Ruhullah describes this as a form of witch-hunting orchestrated by the BJP-led government and his own party, the NC.

What has prompted this shift in the NC leadership? Many are left questioning. The perception of the NC leadership drawing closer to the BJP has been met with shock and disbelief.

The current painful situation in Jammu and Kashmir could have been avoided had the founder of the National Conference, Sheikh Abdullah, not supported India’s accession in 1947

There is widespread anger among the public, who believe that the current painful situation in Jammu and Kashmir could have been avoided had the founder of the National Conference, Sheikh Abdullah, not supported India’s accession in 1947. The party continues to maintain a cordial relationship with the Government despite the latter’s actions that have stripped Kashmir of its rights to land and recruitment. Critics argue that the National Conference has never genuinely prioritised the welfare of the Kashmiri people, instead trading their sentiments and emotions for the sake of political power.

In light of the intense public backlash, Kiran Rijuji and Omar Abdullah clarified that they had visited Tulip Garden with their father, where Kiran Raju was already present, and that the meeting was merely coincidental. However, the public questioned why he did not permit a discussion on the Waqf Bill in the Assembly. They wondered why he seemed so intimidated by the BJP that he prevented his members from speaking out. Why has he not taken steps to restore internal autonomy as promised in his manifesto? Why does he distort the reservation policy? Why has he forgotten the promise to release thousands of prisoners?

The Central minister who dealt a blow to 25 crore people by introducing a bill to seize the land, religious property, and rights of Muslims was enjoying tulips in the garden with the JK Chief Minister 

The Central minister who dealt a blow to 25 crore people by introducing a bill to seize the land, religious property, and rights of Muslims was enjoying tulips in the garden with the JK Chief Minister whose sentiments Omar Abdullah was expressing—were they those of his party, his voters, or the BJP? At the very least, they should refrain from rubbing salt in our wounds by showcasing such pictures, especially on the same day we intended to protest against the BJP’s anti-Muslim policies in the Assembly, as stated by a senior member of the National Conference.

Numerous petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court against the Waqf amendments. The National Conference has also announced its intention to file a petition, but this is perceived as a mere calming exercise, with little expectation of justice from the court. The decision regarding Article 370 remains a fresh wound in the public’s memory.

The National Conference has excelled at presenting India to Kashmir but has failed to present Kashmir to India

Regardless of how much Omar Abdullah or his party attempts to explain their actions, the situation has deteriorated to the point where trust in his words or his party has eroded. In the past, the pro-centre policies of this party overshadowed any positive contributions, turning even commendable efforts into sources of criticism. The National Conference has excelled at presenting India to Kashmir but has failed to present Kashmir to India. Yet, even after seven decades, the Indian leadership remains distrustful and continues to use the party to silence the voices of Kashmiris.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.