Kashmir Shia Leaders Oppose Visit of Lucknow Cleric Kalbe Jawad

Srinagar, Nov 25, KNT: Several Shia leaders in Kashmir have opposed the visit of Lucknow-based cleric Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad Naqvi, accusing him of attempting to create divisions within the community and allegedly promoting political interests in the Valley.

The controversy surfaced after photographs circulated on social media showing the visiting cleric meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and addressing a gathering at a mosque in the Ichgam area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

Local Shia leaders from both mainstream and separatist political circles criticized the visit, saying it was inappropriate and could lead to sectarian divisions in the region.

Aga Syed Muntazir, son of senior Hurriyat leader Aga Syed Hasan Almosvi Alsafvi, strongly criticized the cleric in a social media post.

“Maulana Jawad must be reminded that he is acting at the behest of a nakedly majoritarian regime that has systematically eroded the dignity of Muslims in general and Kashmiris in particular,” Muntazir wrote.

He further said the Shia community in Kashmir would resist what he described as attempts to create divisions within society.

“We stand together as one people in telling Maulana Jawad that his visit at the behest of the Union Government is unwanted and unwelcome,” he added.

Muntazir also alleged that religious figures were being used in what he described as attempts to promote a “saffaronizing project,” adding that the Shia community of Kashmir would continue to stand united.

The visit also drew criticism from National Conference leader and Shia cleric Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, who accused the visiting cleric of supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“Maulana Jawad, I advise you against any misadventure in Kashmir at the behest of the BJP. This is not Lucknow, this is Kashmir. Our identity is one and unity is paramount for us,” Ruhullah Mehdi wrote in a social media post.

Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad Naqvi, who serves as General Secretary of Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Hind and belongs to the well-known scholarly family ‘Khandaan-e-Ijtehad’, has influence among sections of the Shia community in different parts of India.

The cleric has said that his visit to Kashmir was personal and religious in nature.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party said that a delegation of scholars and activists led by Maulana Kalbe Jawad Naqvi met the party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari at his residence in Sheikh Bagh in Srinagar.

A spokesperson of the party said the meeting lasted for more than an hour and discussions were held on issues concerning the Shia community in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the spokesperson, the visiting cleric emphasized the need for establishing a Shia Waqf Board and also raised concerns about unemployment among members of the Shia community in the region. [KNT]