Religious bodies behind Kishtwar order on Ramadan charity: CM Omar Abdullah 

Suhail Khan 

 

Jammu, Feb 20: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday sought to distance his government from the controversial Kishtwar order regulating collection of charitable donations during Ramadan, asserting that the directive was issued at the behest of local religious leaders and not on administrative whim.

 

Responding to concerns raised by legislators during the ongoing Assembly session, the Chief Minister revealed that a preliminary inquiry had established that the order followed consultations with stakeholders in the district.

 

“The DC did not issue the order on his own. Prior to Ramadan, all Deputy Commissioners were asked to coordinate with local stakeholders. In Kishtwar, religious leaders pointed out that several NGOs emerge only during this month to collect donations without any accountability,” CM Omar said on the floor of the House.

 

The clarification came amid escalating political tensions over the directive, which Congress legislators had on Thursday termed “unconstitutional” and an intrusion into religious privacy. The order mandates registration and official oversight of Sadaqah and Zakat collections, requiring individuals and groups to seek clearance from specified authorities.

 

According to the Chief Minister, local bodies and religious committees had specifically requested administrative intervention, citing instances where funds were collected in the names of patients — sometimes without verification of the individual’s existence or the intended use of the money.

 

“Such practices not only lead to misuse of funds but also harm genuine organisations working transparently. The order was issued based on their inputs and has been welcomed by the same local bodies,” CM Omar said.

 

The controversy had erupted on Thursday when MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat demanded immediate withdrawal of the directive, arguing that it violated Shariah principles. “Is Sadaqah and Zakat to be subjected to administrative scrutiny? Our Shariah says the left hand should not know what the right hand donates,” Bhat had said, describing the order as “absolutely unconstitutional, ultra vires, bad in law, and provocative.”

 

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir had also expressed strong disapproval, noting that such an order had been issued “for the first time in the country.”

 

How’ver Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urging legislators to refrain from politicising the matter. “We should not mix religion with politics. The intent is to ensure transparency and protect the sanctity of charitable contributions during the holy month,” he said, emphasising the need for dialogue at the local level.

 

The order, issued by the Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner, requires all fundraising entities to maintain transparent records of their activities. Clearance must be obtained from the executive officer of the Wakf Board in Kishtwar, the Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar (President Majlis Shura committee Kishtwar), or concerned tehsildars before proceeding with any donation collections.