Ruckus inside J&K Assembly continues for second day over Waqf Act
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a ruckus for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, with opposition parties demanding a discussion on the Waqf Act, which led to the Assembly being adjourned for 30 minutes. The Assembly had also been adjourned on Monday after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied a motion moved by National Conference MLAs to adjourn Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Act.
The opposition parties, including the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Congress, have been seeking a discussion on the Waqf Act, which was passed by the previous government in 2019. The Act grants the State Waqf Board the power to manage and control waqf properties, which are considered sacred trusts for Muslims.
The opposition parties have been accusing the government of trying to usurp the rights of waqf properties and have been demanding a discussion to clarify the concerns. The National Conference MLA, Ali Muhammad Sagar, moved a motion on Monday to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Act, but the Speaker denied the request, leading to a ruckus in the Assembly.
The PDP MLA, Abdul Haq Khan, also spoke out against the Act, stating that it was a “black law” that would lead to the exploitation of waqf properties. He accused the government of trying to “dishonor” the sanctity of waqf properties and demanded that the Act be repealed.
The Congress MLA, Vikramaditya Singh, also joined the opposition chorus, stating that the Waqf Act was a “BJP-backed” legislation that would harm the interests of waqf properties. He demanded that the government clarify its stand on the Act and provide a response to the concerns raised by the opposition parties.
The government, however, has maintained that the Waqf Act is necessary to ensure the proper management and control of waqf properties. The government has also accused the opposition parties of trying to create unnecessary controversy and have sought to downplay the concerns raised by the opposition.
The ruckus in the Assembly on Tuesday was marked by heated exchanges between the opposition parties and the government, with the Speaker repeatedly asking the opposition to maintain decorum in the House. The opposition parties, however, remained defiant, refusing to back down from their demands.
The Waqf Act has been a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir, with the opposition parties accusing the government of trying to usurp the rights of waqf properties. The opposition parties have also accused the government of trying to divide the people of Jammu and Kashmir on communal lines.
The government, however, has maintained that the Waqf Act is a necessary step to ensure the proper management and control of waqf properties. The government has also accused the opposition parties of trying to create unnecessary controversy and have sought to downplay the concerns raised by the opposition.
The ruckus in the Assembly on Tuesday has highlighted the deep divide between the government and the opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir. The opposition parties are determined to continue their fight against the Waqf Act, while the government is equally determined to push through the legislation.
As the stalemate continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. Will the government be able to push through the Waqf Act, or will the opposition parties be able to successfully block its passage? Only time will tell.
News Source:
https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1909466888100274623
