Srinagar, August 17: J&K Waqaf Board has banned forced donations and through exploitive means at the Ziyarats across J&K. The order issued by the Tehsildar Waqaf Board reads, “Whereas, J&K Waqf Board is in receipt of large number of complaints against some people receiving donations forcibly and through exploitative means at the Ziyarats. Despite coming from reasonably sound economic background, such people are permanently occupying particular spots within the shrines for their activities, and there are instances when such spots are being outsourced or contracted out against receipt of large sums of money that violates the sacrosanctity of the Ziyarats.”
The order also reads : Whereas, such unethical practices damage the sanctity of such sacred places, and are detrimental to the already strained finances of the J&K Waqf Board. Such pilferages are severely limiting the ability of the Waqf Board to perform basic duties of charity and carry out activities for the upliftment of the poor and disadvantaged groups of the society, and also limit the ability of Waqf to provide different facilities to the Zaireen and carry out infrastructural improvements at the Shrines.”
Central Waqf Office shall also be verifying the claims of all those performing different religious activities within the Ziyarats of J&K UT. Executive Officers/Administrators and staff posted at Shrines/ Masjids are hereby directed to impose the ban strictly. ” Any non-compliance of the order be immediately referred to the Central Office, so that a complete ban is ordered on the entry of such elements into pious and sacred places like Ziyarats. Notices alongwith Helpline numbers be pasted at conspicuous places within Ziyarats requesting general public to inform about such elements. Any dereliction or laxity shown by any employee in this regard shall be viewed seriously and shall invite immediate disciplinary action,.” It said.
“Whereas, such people have been repeatedly warned to desist from these activities, as it also sends a very wrong signal to the Zaireen, who are repeatedly requesting J&K Waqf Board to take stern action against such elements.
Now therefore, a complete ban is hereby ordered on all such unethical practices across the Shrines of J&K UT with immediate effect,” it added.
The order also says that J&K Waqf Board has come into existence to look after the administrative affairs of inalienable Waqfs for charitable and religious purposes. ” in addition to the management of properties like Business Establishments, Orchards and providing highly subsidised/free education in Schools and Darul-Ulooms, J&K Waqf Board also controls and manages the affairs of major Shrines and Mosques across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” it reads.