Srinagar, Sep 13 : The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board has issued directions regulating the feeding of birds and distribution of Tahrir (cooked rice prepared and distributed as a religious offering or charity at shrines) and other food items within the premises of Waqf-managed shrines across Jammu and Kashmir, asking devotees and visitors to use designated facilities for such activities.
The directive has been issued under the directions of J&K Waqf Board Chairperson and Minister of State Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi. The Board has called upon devotees, visitors and other people visiting the shrines to cooperate with the authorities and adhere to the arrangements put in place on the premises.
The Waqf Board said the move was aimed at maintaining cleanliness, hygiene, sanctity and a peaceful atmosphere at the shrines.
According to the Board, feeding birds and distributing food items at locations other than those designated for the purpose can lead to the accumulation of food waste and attract stray animals. This, it said, can create unhygienic conditions and cause inconvenience to devotees, particularly those engaged in prayers and other forms of worship.
The Board has therefore asked devotees not to undertake bird feeding or food distribution at arbitrary locations within shrine premises and instead use the designated points established by the Waqf authorities.
However, Dr Darakhshan Andrabi has clarified that the directive should not be construed as a ban on the traditional practice of distributing Tahrir or other food items at the shrines.
“We have not banned the distribution of Tahrir or other food items at the shrines. We have asked the devotees to distribute into those points where the Waqf Board has already constructed the distribution facilities at all the shrines,” Dr Andrabi said.
She said the Board had made arrangements at the shrines to facilitate the distribution of food in an organised manner while ensuring that the premises remained clean and orderly.
Dr Andrabi also clarified that devotees had not been barred from feeding birds altogether. Instead, specific locations have been provided for the activity.
“We have also provided the spots at the shrines where the devotees can do feeding of birds,” she said.
The clarification is significant as the initial directive, which prohibited bird feeding and distribution of Tahrir and other food items within shrine premises, could otherwise be interpreted as a complete ban on these practices.
The Board’s position is that the activities are to be regulated and shifted to designated areas rather than discontinued
The Board has appealed to devotees to cooperate with its officials and follow the instructions displayed or communicated at individual shrine premises.
