Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 8: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed intense drama for the second consecutive day, as a heated confrontation erupted over demands to debate the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act. Amid growing tension, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House until 1 PM on Monday.
Members of both the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongly opposed the Act and demanded time for discussion. The PDP, led by Mehbooba Mufti, had submitted a resolution urging the Central government to repeal the legislation, but it was not taken up for voting.
Clashes and Chaos in the Well of the House
PDP MLA Waheed Para and several party members stormed into the Well of the House, holding up papers related to their resolution. The situation quickly escalated, resulting in the marshalling out of PDP members. Members from the ruling NC also rushed to the Well, leading to an argument with J&K People’s Conference (JKPC) chief Sajad Lone.
Sajad Lone criticized the National Conference, accusing the party of theatrical behavior and hypocrisy. He pointed out that while NC members called for debate, their own Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, had refused to allow it under Rule 58.
“If the NC is serious, they should remove the Speaker they appointed and bring in someone who will allow a discussion,” Lone told reporters.
Accusations Fly, Emotions Run High
Monday’s events followed another dramatic moment when an NC MLA tore the Waqf Bill in protest inside the Assembly. Today, NC MLA Altaf Kaloo attempted to move an adjournment motion to speak on the issue but was ignored by the Speaker.
PDP’s Waheed Para, after being removed from the Assembly, made a passionate appeal:
“There are 60 MLAs here. If they don’t support this resolution against the Waqf Act, history will judge us forever.”
Farooq Abdullah Calls Act “Unconstitutional”
Meanwhile, senior NC leader and party president Farooq Abdullah, speaking from Ganderbal, reiterated the party’s opposition to the Waqf reforms:
“The National Conference is against this bill. It is unconstitutional. The matter is already in the Supreme Court. That is why the Speaker did not allow a debate.”
As tensions simmer in the Assembly, all eyes are now on how the Speaker and the ruling NC choose to respond to the demands for debate and dissent from multiple political parties. The controversy surrounding the Waqf Amendment Act is expected to dominate political discourse in the coming days.