The District Magistrate of Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir has issued an order to regulate the collection of donations during the holy month of Ramadan. The administration said the move aims to prevent unauthorised
fundraising, fraud and possible misuse of money.
Under the directive, anyone collecting donations — including individuals, NGOs, trusts and committees — must first register. They must also obtain prior written intimation or clearance from the Executive Officer of the Waqf Board Unit Kishtwar, the Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar, or the concerned Tehsildar.
The order has been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. It requires proper records of all collections and spending, bans coercive methods or blocking of public pathways, and sets up a vigilance helpline for complaints.
The administration stated that Zakat and Sadaqah are sacred charitable practices during Ramadan, but any misrepresentation or fraudulent collection of funds harms the sanctity of the holy month and exploits public goodwill.
BJP Alleges Complaints About Misuse Of Donations
BJP Leader of the Opposition and local MLA Sunil Sharma said the administration had received complaints about misuse of donations. He said people cannot stand anywhere and collect money, and warned that anyone using donations for wrongdoing or subversive activities would face action. He also stressed the need for proper verification of collectors.
He told the media in Jammu that “the orders have been issued directing that a person cannot stand anywhere and accept donations. Especially during this month of Ramadan, which is a holy month when the Muslim community donates in the form of Zakat, and this donation is misused [or] abused for anti-national activities and subversive activities. The administration received inputs and complaints about this. Therefore, they’ve issued an order that anyone who collects money for any wrongdoing will face action…”
He added that there should be proper verification of who is accepting donations.
The order has been criticised by the National Conference and the PDP. PDP legislator Waheed Para called it unfortunate and said charity helps those in need and should not be treated as a security issue.
“These are patterns happening across the country against minorities… It’s an unfortunate order to proceed against one faith. Such charity is meant to help people in need, and there is no security issue,” he told the media outside the J&K Assembly.
National Conference leader Mir Saifullah termed the order interference in religious affairs and a violation of fundamental rights, saying Zakat is meant for the poor and the directive should be withdrawn.
“Zakat is paid to the poor. It’s an interference in religious affairs, and such an order should be revoked,” he said.
Responding to concerns about misuse of funds, he said investigating agencies are responsible for acting against those involved in illegal activities.
The District Magistrate of Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir has issued an order to regulate the collection of donations during the holy month of Ramadan. The administration said the move aims to prevent unauthorised fundraising, fraud and possible misuse of money.
