Ruckus inside J&K Assembly continues for second day over Waqf Act
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed yet another day of ruckus and adjournments as opposition parties continued to demand a discussion on the Waqf Act. The Assembly was adjourned for 30 minutes on Tuesday as the opposition parties refused to relent in their demand for a discussion on the controversial act.
The ruckus began on Monday when National Conference (NC) MLAs moved a motion to adjourn Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Act. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied the motion, leading to protests from the opposition benches. The Assembly was subsequently adjourned for the day.
On Tuesday, the opposition parties, including the NC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and CPI(M), continued to press for a discussion on the Waqf Act. They alleged that the act was aimed at communalizing the Waqf properties and undermining the rights of the Muslim community.
The opposition parties also accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to divide the people of Jammu and Kashmir on communal lines. “The Waqf Act is a divisive legislation that seeks to benefit a particular community at the cost of others,” said NC MLA, Ali Mohammad Sagar.
The BJP, however, denied the allegations and claimed that the Waqf Act was necessary to ensure the protection and preservation of Waqf properties. “The Waqf Act is aimed at ensuring the integrity and security of Waqf properties, which are an important part of our cultural heritage,” said BJP MLA, Choudhary Lal Singh.
The Waqf Act was passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in March this year, amid strong protests from the opposition parties. The act seeks to reconstitute the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board and provide for the management of Waqf properties.
The opposition parties have been demanding a rollback of the act, alleging that it was passed in a haste without proper consultation with the stakeholders. They have also demanded a discussion on the act in the Assembly to clarify the doubts and apprehensions of the people.
The ruckus in the Assembly has been continuing for the past two days, with the opposition parties refusing to relent in their demand for a discussion on the Waqf Act. The situation is likely to remain tense until the opposition parties’ demands are met.
The Waqf Act has been a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir, with the opposition parties accusing the ruling BJP of attempting to communalize the society. The act has also been criticized by many Muslim organizations, which have alleged that it seeks to undermine the rights of the Muslim community.
In the midst of the controversy, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued a stay on the implementation of the Waqf Act, pending a petition challenging its validity. The petition has been filed by a local resident, who has alleged that the act is unconstitutional and violates the fundamental rights of the people.
The ruckus in the Assembly and the controversy surrounding the Waqf Act have raised questions about the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir government. The opposition parties have accused the government of being insensitive to the concerns of the people and of attempting to push through controversial legislation without proper consultation.
The situation is likely to remain tense until the opposition parties’ demands are met and the controversy surrounding the Waqf Act is resolved. The Jammu and Kashmir government will have to ensure that the concerns of the people are addressed and that the legislation is passed in a fair and transparent manner.
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