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 as opposition parties continued to demand a discussion on the Waqf Act, which led to the Assembly being adjourned for 30 minutes. The opposition parties, including the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have been vocally demanding a discussion on the Waqf Act, which they claim is aimed at altering the demography of the region.
On Monday, the Assembly was adjourned after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied a motion moved by National Conference MLAs to adjourn Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Act. Despite the denial, the opposition parties continued to raise the issue, leading to chaos in the Assembly.
Today, the opposition parties were once again on their feet, demanding a discussion on the Waqf Act. National Conference MLA, Muhammad Akbar Lone, moved a motion to adjourn the House till the discussion on the Waqf Act was held. However, Speaker Rahim Rather denied the motion, citing lack of time.
The opposition parties were not pleased with the Speaker’s decision and began to raise slogans against the government. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA, Abdul Haq Khan, even walked out of the Assembly in protest.
The Waqf Act has been a contentious issue in the region, with opposition parties claiming that it is aimed at altering the demography of the region. The Act, which was passed by the previous government, aims to bring all Waqf properties under the control of a single authority. However, the opposition parties claim that the Act is aimed at taking away the rights of the Waqf holders and giving it to the government.
National Conference MLA, Muhammad Akbar Lone, accused the government of trying to divide the people of Jammu and Kashmir on religious lines. “The Waqf Act is a conspiracy to divide the people of Jammu and Kashmir on religious lines. It is an attempt to take away the rights of the Waqf holders and give it to the government,” he said.
PDP MLA, Abdul Haq Khan, also criticized the government for passing the Waqf Act without consulting the opposition parties. “The government has passed the Waqf Act without consulting us. It is an attempt to take away the rights of the Waqf holders and give it to the government,” he said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) also joined the opposition parties in demanding a discussion on the Waqf Act. JKPCC President, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, accused the government of trying to divide the people of Jammu and Kashmir on religious lines. “The Waqf Act is a conspiracy to divide the people of Jammu and Kashmir on religious lines. It is an attempt to take away the rights of the Waqf holders and give it to the government,” he said.
The government, however, has maintained that the Waqf Act is aimed at protecting the Waqf properties and bringing them under one authority. Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, has accused the opposition parties of trying to create unnecessary controversy over the issue.
The ruckus in the Assembly today has once again highlighted the deep divide between the opposition parties and the government over the Waqf Act. The opposition parties are determined to get a discussion on the Act, while the government is adamant that it will not be discussed.
As the Assembly continues to be adjourned repeatedly, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. Will the opposition parties be able to get a discussion on the Waqf Act, or will the government succeed in pushing it through without a debate? Only time will tell.
