Jammu Kashmir: CM Says Kishtwar Ramzan Donation Order Issued on Clerics’ Request | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A controversy that erupted over an administrative order regulating donation drives during Ramzan in Kishtwar appeared to subside on Friday after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Assembly that the decision had been taken at the request of local Muslim religious leaders.

The order, issued by Kishtwar District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar Sharma under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, mandates prior authorisation for NGOs, trusts, societies, committees and individuals seeking to collect donations in cash, kind or digital form during the holy month.

It also requires fundraising entities to maintain transparent records of collections and expenditures, stating that any solicitor without valid identification, registration documents and a designated receipt book would be deemed unauthorised.

The directive had drawn criticism in the Assembly from Congress, PDP and some ruling National Conference legislators, who described it as interference in religious matters and called for its withdrawal.

Responding to concerns raised by Congress MLAs Nizam-ud-Din Bhat and Ghulam Ahmed Mir, the Chief Minister said he had examined the issue and found that the Deputy Commissioner had not acted arbitrarily.

Omar told the House that ahead of Ramzan, district administrations were directed to hold consultations with local stakeholders. During a meeting in Kishtwar, Muslim clerics and community representatives reportedly raised concerns about “fake NGOs” emerging during the holy month to collect funds without accountability.

“They informed the administration that money is collected in the name of charity or patients, but there is no clarity where the funds are actually spent. Genuine NGOs suffer as fraudulent entities collect donations during Ramzan,” the Chief Minister said.

He added that religious leaders had requested official intervention to curb such practices and that the order had received support from the Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar and other clerics in the district.

Urging members not to politicise the issue, Omar said, “We should not mix religion with politics. Sometimes decisions are taken after consultations at the local level and not on political grounds.”

Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma of the Bharatiya Janata Party supported the measure, saying verification was necessary to prevent misuse of charitable funds.

Following the Chief Minister’s clarification that the move was based on representations from Muslim community leaders in Kishtwar, the immediate political confrontation over the order appeared to ease, with the government maintaining that the intent was to ensure transparency and protect the sanctity of charitable contributions during Ramzan.