Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 8: Chaos continued to grip the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Tuesday as multiple opposition parties, including the People’s Conference (JKPC), Awami Itehhad Party, and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), moved a resolution seeking the removal of Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather. The move came amid the growing demand to discuss the contentious Waqf Amendment Act.
The notice of intention to move the resolution was submitted to the Secretary General by JKPC chief Sajjad Lone, Awami Itehhad Party leader Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, and other PDP MLAs. The opposition’s demand to debate the Waqf Board reforms was denied by Speaker Rather, who cited Rule 58, which prohibits discussion of an Act currently under judicial consideration.
Despite the Speaker’s refusal, several MLAs, including some from the ruling National Conference (NC) itself, raised concerns over the reforms, arguing for transparency and accountability in the religious board’s functioning.
Criticizing the NC’s handling of the issue, opposition parties accused the party of siding with the BJP. Awami Itehhad Party MLA Khursheed Sheikh went so far as to call it a “fixed match” between the NC and the BJP. “The Leader of the House is not even present in the assembly. He is out welcoming BJP leaders in the Tulip Garden,” he said.
JKPC chief Sajjad Lone echoed similar sentiments, accusing the NC of indulging in theatrics. “If the NC is serious, they should bring a no-confidence motion against their own Speaker who they elected. We want a strong message to go out from J&K, the only Muslim-majority province in India, but the Speaker is blocking that,” Lone stated.
Tensions peaked when PDP MLA Waheed Para and other party members stormed the Well of the House, waving papers related to their resolution. They were subsequently marshalled out. NC MLAs also entered the Well, leading to a verbal clash between them and Sajjad Lone. NC MLA Altaf Kaloo had moved an adjournment motion seeking time to address the House, but the Speaker remained unresponsive.
Meanwhile, the BJP dismissed the controversy, arguing the matter was beyond the Assembly’s jurisdiction. BJP MLA Satish Kumar Sharma stated, “The bill has already become law after being passed by the supreme institutions of the country and approved by the President. The opposition is trying to politicize an issue that is no longer in their hands.”
As the legislative deadlock continues, the political temperature in Jammu and Kashmir shows no signs of cooling, with the opposition preparing for a prolonged confrontation over what they deem a critical issue of religious and administrative autonomy.