Srinagar, Oct 22: The resolution of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to hand over custodianship of the J&K Waqf Board to the Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq-led Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama Jammu and Kashmir (MMU) was among those dropped in the ballot.

The MMU is an umbrella body representing major religious organisations in J&K, both Sunni and Shia.

Its stated role includes promotion of intra-Muslim sectarian harmony, coordination among Ulemas (religious scholars), and custodians of religious institutions.

Given this background, the MMU is viewed as a powerful religious-community body that wields influential moral and social authority across sects in J&K.

The resolution submitted by the PDP proposed handing over the custodianship of the J&K Waqf Board to the MMU.

In effect, this would have meant the MMU taking charge of the Waqf Board’s governance, or perhaps replacing the existing statutory arrangements with institutional control by the MMU.

The matter is significant considering that the Waqf Board controls substantial religious and charitable endowments in J&K.

At the national level, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, already stirred controversy in J&K and beyond, with the bill seeing an uproar in the Assembly over concerns of religious autonomy.

The J&K Waqf Board is the statutory body tasked with managing the Awqaf (religious endowments) of the Muslim community in J&K.

The origins trace back to Idara Auqaf-i-Islamia.

In August 1973, a large gathering at Hazratbal resolved to transform the body into the “All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Auqaf Trust”.

In 2003, the Jammu and Kashmir Specified Wakfs and Specified Wakf Properties (Management and Regulation) Ordinance was promulgated, followed by the Act of 2004 converting it into a formal Waqf Board structure.

The Waqf Board oversees shrines, Masjids, Khanqahs (Sufi centres), and other religious-charitable properties.

The PDP resolution seeking to hand over Waqf Board custodianship to MMU, being dropped, is noteworthy.

The development comes at a time when Kashmir’s religious-institution governance is under scrutiny, with the Waqf Board’s role, appointment mechanisms, statutory autonomy, and community trust all under focus.

The Assembly’s private-member ballot process has filtered it out along with many other resolutions with only 7 admitted out of 58.

Out of the 58 Private Member resolutions submitted for the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s Autumn Session that starts on Wednesday, only seven have been admitted following official balloting.

The admitted resolutions include the Establishment of a Law University by Congress MLA from Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat; Promotion of Employment by NC MLA from Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri); Compensation under NDRF by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Udhampur West, Pawan Gupta;  Improvement of Infrastructure by BJP MLA from Bishnah, Rajeev Bhagat; Implementation of Panchayati Raj Rules by independent MLA from Thanamandi, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan; Regularisation of Daily Wagers by NC MLA from Poonch-Haveli, Aijaz Jan,  and Allotment of Land by MLA from Chenani-Ghordi,  Balwant Singh Mankotia.

The balloting process determines which private-member resolutions will go to detailed discussion in the forthcoming session.

Srinagar, Oct 22: Chief Spokesperson of Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Inam Un Nabi has appealed to the people of Budgam Assembly Constituency to wholeheartedly support AIP Candidate Nazir Ahmad Khan, contesting on the ‘Gas Cylinder’ symbol.

Inam said every vote for the ‘Gas Cylinder’ is a vote for the vision and struggle of incarcerated MP Baramulla Er Rashid who continues to fight democratically for political rights, justice and development of Jammu & Kashmir, as per a statement.

Inam added that AIP remains fully committed to the progress of every village and area of Budgam, assuring transparent governance and people-centered development. Inam urged voters, “Press the Gas Cylinder symbol and strengthen Er Rashid’s mission of truth, rights and progress.”

Srinagar, Oct 22: Demonstrating her consistency on the chessboard, Minha Ayaz Wani once again brought recognition to Kashmir by winning the ‘Best Female Player’ award at the 5th AICF Chess for Everyone Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2025. This event took place at the Indoor Sports Complex, Polo Ground, Srinagar.

The national-level tournament, organised by the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and supported by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, featured about 200 players from across the country, including seniors, juniors, men, and women. This made the competition both tough and exciting.

Minha, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), showed remarkable composure and skill throughout the tournament, earning 5.5 points out of 9 rounds. She won three games, drew five—two of which were against rated opponents—and lost only one. Her strong overall performance earned her a cash prize and a trophy.

The 18-year-old’s success reflects the increasing presence of Kashmiri talent in the national chess scene. Minha’s achievements have not only raised her profile but also inspired many young players, especially girls, to pursue chess with passion and confidence.

Previously, Minha had established herself as one of Kashmir’s most successful young chess players. She won two gold medals at the national level, earned three gold medals in state championships, and consistently secured gold medals across inter-district, district, and zonal tournaments, a record that highlights her dedication and skill in the sport from a young age.