"Vacant Posts, additional charges in Bandipora affecting governance and services"
Suhail Rather
Srinagar, Jan 16: Former minister and Peoples Democratic Party leader Naeem Akhter on Friday said that recent steps involving mosques and religious institutions amounted to an attack on religious freedom and should be reconsidered by the government.
Responding to a question about pressure being put on imams and mosque managements, Akhter said his party’s position had already been made clear by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti a day earlier.
He said the move raised serious concerns about the right of Muslims to practise their religion freely. “This is an attack on our religion, our religious freedom and our legal rights,” Akhter said. “The question is whether Muslims are allowed to practise and follow their religion.”
He said mosques were not just places of worship but also social spaces where people come together and discuss issues affecting society. “These are sacred spaces. People sit there, talk to each other and try to find solutions to problems in society,” he said.
Akhter questioned the need for what he described as unnecessary steps involving mosques. He stated that there was no justification for such measures in the current situation and appealed to the government to reconsider its approach.
Referring to donations collected in mosques, Akhter said contributions were made voluntarily by people, particularly on Fridays. “Someone gives five rupees, someone ten, someone fifty or five hundred.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelEveryone knows where the money comes from,” he said, adding that such matters should not be used to create fear or pressure.
He warned that continued interference could discourage people from managing mosques. “For God’s sake, the government should reconsider this. Otherwise, mosques will be left without caretakers, and administrators will step away,” he said.
Akhter also raised concerns about vacancies and additional charges in the administration in Bandipora district. He said around half of the officers in the district collectorate were holding additional responsibilities, while key posts remained vacant.
He said the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s post had been vacant for about a year and that even the medical superintendent was holding additional charge. “This is disturbing. If posts are vacant, then people will suffer,” he said.
The PDP leader appealed to the Chief Minister to take immediate steps to fill vacant posts. He said delays were affecting development work and essential services. “Whether it is hospitals, health services or education, programs cannot run properly if posts remain vacant,” he said.
Notably, the senior PDP leaders attended a party workers meeting in Kehnoosa Bandipora. The meeting was attended by Zonal President Bandipora Er. Mir Naseer Ahmad, Mohammad Abdullah Wani, Abdul Majeed Rahi, Mudassir Hussain, Abdul Hameed Dar, Abdul Rasheed and others. (KNS)