Muslim Intellectuals and leaders of various organizations have demanded that the State government withdraw the circular issued by the Endowments Commissioner (no.A4/21289/2011) barring non-Hindus from taking on lease shops/ building/land of Endowment Department.
Speaking to media persons here on Saturday, Tahreek Muslim Shabban convener Mohammed Mushtaq Malik alleged that the circular was issued duly misinterpreting the definition of temple in the Endowment Act of 30/87 and it was totally against the principle of secularism. The places of religious worship and other appurtenant structures and land having connection with public religious worship fall under definition of temple, but not the shop, building, vacant or agriculture land where commercial or livelihood activities were carried on and located away from temple, he added. He said that there was a need to explain temple in the Endowment Act. He felt that such illegal, discriminatory and unconstitutional things happening only during Congress governments.
Muslim League convener Mirza Yusuf Baig said that when Christian and Muslim Wakf properties were being given on lease irrespective of the religion to uphold the secularism, the Endowment department should not have taken the anti-secular measure. He said that if the government failed to take measures for cancellation of the circular, they would demand that Wakf Board should impose such restrictions.
Sufi Academy convener Syed Taraq Quadri, Advocate Mohammed Farooq Ali Khan and Mahabaan-e-Tameer-e-Mallat Sadat Ali were also present. (NSS)