Waqf Board bans ‘Dastaar Bandi’ practice at its shrines

Srinagar, Sept 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board on Monday issued an order where it banned all ‘Dastaar Bandi’ (turban-tying) practices at all the religious places and shrines falling under its control, officials said.
According to Ishtiyaq Mohiuddin, executive magistrate, J&K Waqf Board, the order was issued on the instructions of the chairperson Waqf Board.
“The “Dastaar Bandi ” of people at all religious places, governed by the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, is completely banned,” read the order.
As per the Waqf Chairperson Dr Darakshan Andrabi, the order is issued after a series of complaints regarding the unethical use of the platform of Ziyarats to appease influential people, particularly the political leaders, through “Dastaar Bandi” at the shrines.
“The leaders continue to be invited to the shrines and their Dastaar-Bandi at such places is carried out on the basis of party affiliations to promote their political agenda at the sacred places,” read the order.
The board in its order has asked all the administrators, executive officers to ensure its strict implementation, and any violation shall immediately be brought to the notice of the Central Office for legal action in the matter.
The order, however, clarified that the “Dastaar Bandi” of people for religious achievements shall be allowed with prior permission of the Central Office Waqf Board.
The Waqf Board has come up with a serious of orders in the last five months which the Board leadership terms are aimed to bring accountability and transform the J&K Waqf Board.
Earlier, the Waqf Board banned the collection of donations by trustees at shrines and mosques run by the board.
Calling the collection by trustees “unethical practice”, the Waqf Board said the ban was imposed after complaints from people about purported corruption.