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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah connected Friday (February 20, 2026) defended an bid regulating postulation of zakat (charity) during Ramzan successful Kishtwar district, amid increasing disapproval from governmental parties.
Speaking successful the J&K assembly, Mr. Abdullah said the bid was issued pursuing “requests of section Muslim spiritual leaders, who had pointed retired misuse of zakat ”.
“Ahead of Ramzan, directions were issued to each Deputy Commissioners to consult section stakeholders. In Kishtwar, spiritual leaders themselves raised concerns astir fake NGOs collecting zakat and donations without transparency and sought regularisation to forestall misuse. Acting connected their request, the bid was issued and has been welcomed by section spiritual leaders. We should not politicise each administrative decision,” Mr. Abdullah said.
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The order, issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, states that individuals, non-governmental organisations, trusts, societies oregon committees cannot cod foundation “without a valid registration nether the applicable Acts”. If further mandates that a written clearance indispensable beryllium obtained from the Waqf Board Unit, Kishtwar, the Imam Jamia Masjid, Kishtwar, oregon the tehsildars concerned”.
Several governmental parties, including the National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the CPI (M), criticised the move, terming it interference successful spiritual affairs.
“The bid is strange. It is an effort to people a peculiar community. Recklessly issuing specified an bid is highly unacceptable,” said CPI(M) person and legislator M.Y. Tarigami.
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Meanwhile, the BJP, however, welcomed the move. “The caput clergyman of Jama Masjid, Kishtwar, is a representative. He has welcomed the order. He had pointed retired that determination are elements who rise wealth to usage for subversive and anti-national activities,” Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma said.
