'Chance meeting' between CM Omar, Kiren Rijiju leads to poli
'Chance meeting' between CM Omar, Kiren Rijiju leads to political storm in J-K
A "chance meeting" between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union minister Kiren Rijiju at Asia's largest Tulip Garden triggered a political storm with opposition parties dubbing it as "Waqf law bonhomie"
In this image released by @KirenRijiju via X on April 7,
2025, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju with Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar
Abdullah during a visit to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, in
Srinagar. (@KirenRijiju via PTI Photo)
SRINAGAR — A "chance meeting" between Jammu and Kashmir Chief
Minister Omar Abdullah and Union minister Kiren Rijiju at Asia's largest Tulip
Garden here on Monday triggered a political storm with opposition parties
dubbing it as "Waqf law bonhomie".
Sources in the ruling National Conference said that Omar
Abdullah was accompanying his father and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah
after the latter expressed a wish to visit the Tulip Garden which is in full
bloom these days.
The sources said the father-son duo bumped into Rijiju,
who had also come to visit the garden early in the morning.
The politicians from the opposite sides of political
spectrum exchanged pleasantries before heading their separate ways, they said.
Rijiju posted the pictures with the Abdullahs on his X
handle, triggering the controversy as opposition parties accused the National
Conference of laying out a red carpet for the BJP leader in the aftermath of
Waqf Amendment Act.
The NC sources termed the interaction as purely a
"chance meeting" and brushed aside outrage over it saying opposition
parties were "fishing in the desert".
The opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) and
Peoples' Conference targeted the National Conference over the meeting, and accused
it of surrendering to the BJP without even a pretence over the passage of the
Waqf Amendment Bill.
"Waqf Law bonhomie! So soon. Not even a pretence
while the ruling party members indulge in a drama in assembly over the issue.
Mr Rijiju piloted the bill in Parliament as minority affairs minister,"
PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said.
Another PDP leader Waheed Para, said the Muslims of
J&K have been "reduced to props" in the government's
"political theatre" -- useful on stage, but far too inconvenient to
represent when real decisions are to be made.
"Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has rejected the Waqf Bill
outrightly because they have the spine to show opposition. But the NC keeps
surrendering for political gains at the cost of our people and
institutions," Para charged on X.
The Pulwama MLA said the NC has rolled out a red carpet
at the Tulip Garden for the Union minister, who introduced and defended the
Waqf Amendment Bill in the Parliament.
"Let's be clear: No resolution on Waqf is silent
approval. And the NC MLAs can protest for optics all they want. But we know
that the CM and NC patron have rolled out a red carpet in the Tulip Garden for
none other than Kiren Rijiju - the very Minister who introduced and defended
the bill in Parliament," he said.
"Who would have thought that 'defending minority
rights' looks like a giggling photo op in full bloom? Talk about abandoning the
so-called sweeping mandate!" Para said.
Peoples' Conference chief Sajad Lone said the chief
minister should have stayed away from the Union minister as a mark of protest.
"The least Muslims of India deserved was that in J
and K, the only Muslim majority province in India, the CM as a mark of protest
stays away from Mr Kiren Rijju, who presented the waqf bill. Instead he tags
along Farooq sahib as well. What a shame," Lone said in a post on X.
Union minister Rijiju posted photographs of his meeting
with the Abdullahs, and said the captivating Tulip Garden is the grandest in
Asia.
"A refreshing morning walk amid the vibrant hues of
the Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, with Hon'ble CM Shri
@OmarAbdullah ji and also glad to meet Dr Farooq Abdullah sahab," he said
on X.
"With an astonishing numbers of varieties, this
garden is a true masterpiece. Let's cheer for the record visitors each year as
they immersed themselves in the beauty of these vibrant blooms," he added.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by Parliament last
week. The Act aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties (assets
permanently donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes) with
provisions to safeguard heritage sites, and promote social welfare.
It also seeks to improve governance by enhancing
transparency in property management, streamlining coordination between Waqf
boards and local authorities and protecting stakeholders' rights.
