Srinagar, Apr 07: The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) on Monday accused the National Conference (NC) of “shameless double standards” over the controversial Waqf Bill, accusing the party of playing a cruel joke on the sentiments of the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued here, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said, “NC’s hypocrisy is touching new heights. On one hand, NC members are creating a ruckus in the Assembly over the Waqf Bill, and on the other hand, the Speaker — who is from NC — is not even allowing a discussion on it. If NC is serious, why haven’t they submitted a no-confidence motion against their own Speaker? They are clearly fooling the people.”
Inam said, “It was, in fact, Sheikh Khursheed an AIP MLA who submitted the first adjournment motion in the Assembly, demanding a detailed discussion on the Waqf Bill. As a Muslim-majority state, we have every right to deliberate on such a sensitive issue that directly impacts our religious and community institutions, The silence of the Speaker and NC leadership is deeply suspicious and politically motivated.”
Taking a direct swipe at Omar Abdullah, the AIP spokesperson questioned how the Chief Minister could justify receiving Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiran Rijiju — the very man who tabled the Waqf Bill in Parliament — with full protocol.
“Omar Abdullah could have easily refused to receive Kiran Rijiju as a mark of protest. But instead, he gave him a red-carpet welcome like a loyal BJP ally. Is this what resistance looks like?” he asked.
Inam accused the NC of enacting a “theatrical protest” for media optics. “AIP has been clear and consistent — the Waqf Bill is a direct assault on our religious institutions and must be rejected outright. The NC cannot hoodwink the people any longer. Their masks are off, and Kashmiris are watching,” he said.
