Jammu & Kashmir Assembly adjourned amid uproar over Waqf Act
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a chaotic scene on Monday as the House was adjourned amid intense uproar over the Waqf Act. The commotion was sparked when Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied an adjournment motion moved by National Conference (NC) MLAs to discuss the contentious law, leading to protests from both the NC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members.
The drama unfolded when NC MLAs moved a motion to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Act, which has been a bone of contention between various political parties in the state. The NC has been vocal in its opposition to the Act, claiming that it is designed to appease a particular community and undermine the rights of others.
However, the BJP, which has been a strong supporter of the Act, protested vehemently and demanded that the Question Hour be held as scheduled. The BJP’s stance is that the Waqf Act is a necessary measure to protect the rights of the Waqf properties, which are used for religious purposes by Muslims.
As the debate intensified, the Speaker rejected the adjournment motion, triggering widespread outrage among the NC MLAs. They stormed out of the House, shouting slogans and protesting against the Speaker’s decision. The BJP MLAs, on the other hand, remained seated, claiming that they would not allow the House to be adjourned till the Question Hour was completed.
The situation soon escalated, with both sides refusing to budge. The NC MLAs continued to protest outside the House, while the BJP MLAs remained seated, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House.
The Waqf Act has been a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir for several months now. The Act aims to provide a framework for the administration of Waqf properties, which are used for religious purposes by Muslims. However, the NC and other opposition parties have accused the government of using the Act as a tool to divide the people of the state along religious lines.
The BJP, on the other hand, has defended the Act, claiming that it is necessary to protect the rights of the Waqf properties and ensure that they are used for their intended purpose. The party has also accused the NC of trying to communalize the issue and stoke religious tensions in the state.
The adjournment of the House has sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the Speaker of overstepping his authority and allowing the BJP to dictate the proceedings. The NC has demanded that the Speaker reconsider his decision and allow a discussion on the Waqf Act.
Meanwhile, the BJP has hailed the Speaker’s decision as a victory for the party and accused the NC of trying to disrupt the functioning of the House. The party has also demanded that the Question Hour be held as scheduled, despite the protests from the NC MLAs.
The controversy over the Waqf Act has raised questions about the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and the role of the Speaker in managing the proceedings. The Act has also highlighted the deep-seated divisions within the state, with different political parties taking opposing stances on the issue.
As the standoff continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved. Will the Speaker reconsider his decision and allow a discussion on the Waqf Act, or will the BJP continue to dictate the proceedings? Only time will tell.
