Regulating Ramadan Donations: A Controversial Directive Sparks Debate

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended Kishtwar's Deputy Commissioner's order regulating Ramadan donations. Issued after consulting local Muslim leaders, the directive aims to prevent fraud by fake NGOs. While welcomed by local clerics, it faces criticism for potential overreach in religious matters.

In a bid to regulate Ramadan donations, Kishtwar's Deputy Commissioner's recent order has sparked a heated debate. The order, defended by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, aims to prevent unauthorized NGOs from exploiting the charity-driven period.

Addressing the Assembly, Abdullah emphasized that the directive resulted from consultations with prominent Muslim leaders in Kishtwar. According to him, the order has gained the backing of local religious figures, including the Imam of Jama Masjid, who agree on the need to prevent fraudulent charity collections.

Despite support from some quarters, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and others expressed concerns over decision-making authority. Choudhary argued that such decisions should involve elected government bodies, sparking a broader conversation about governance and religious practice regulation.

(With inputs from agencies.)