“Unconstitutional, Bad in Law”: Congress MLAs Slam DC Kishtwar’s Directive on Donations | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Two Congress MLAs on Thursday demanded the withdrawal of the order issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, regulating the collection of donations in the mountainous district during the holy month of Ramadhan.

The issue was raised in the House by MLA Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat, during the discussion on grants of departments headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Bhat said the order—which calls for regulation, monitoring, and vigilance over the collection of donations during Ramadhan – is “unconstitutional.”

“This is intruding into privacy. Is Sadaqah and Zakat to be subjected to administrative scrutiny? Our Shariah says the left hand should not know what the right hand donates,” he said.

Calling the directive “absolutely unconstitutional, ultra vires, bad in law, and provocative,” Bhat urged the Chief Minister to examine the matter and withdraw the order immediately.

Seconding the demand, MLA Dooru and senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir termed it as “shocking”.

“This has happened for the first time in the country that such an order has been issued,” he said, urging CM to get the order withdrawn.

According to DC’s order, individuals/ groups should collect donations after clearance from executive officer Wakf Board, Kishtwar, Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar (President Majlis Shura committee Kishtwar) or concerned tehsildars.

The order states that all fundraising entities must maintain a transparent record of collections and donations. (KNO)