Srinagar, Oct. 14 -- The proposal of the J&K Waqf Board to decide common Friday sermons in mosques has triggered a backlash in the Union Territory. The Waqf Board, led by its chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi, who is also a senior BJP leader, had on Saturday reportedly announced the constitution of a core committee of religious scholars to finalise "common themes" for Friday sermons at mosques, shrines, and other religious institutions under its administration. The proposed committee was asked to "identify sermon topics in advance and communicate them" to religious scholars associated with Waqf-managed institutions across J&K. "This is an unacceptable attempt by the BJP to interfere in the religious affairs of Muslims. This will not be accepted," National Conference (NC) leader and chief minister Omar Abdullah said on X. Former CM and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said, "J&K is a Muslim-majority state. Who are they to decide what sermon our moulvis and imams will deliver on Fridays?" However, J&K Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi later clarified that the board had issued no order making uniform sermons mandatory in its affiliated mosques. "What was discussed on Saturday was that all mosques, shrines, or imams would talk on a common issue, particularly drug abuse or suicides, so that it would have a collective impact on society. It is the prerogative of imams what they will deliver," she clarified....