Jammu & Kashmir Assembly adjourned amid uproar over Waqf Act
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a chaotic scene on Monday as it was adjourned after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied an adjournment motion on the Waqf Act. The development came after National Conference (NC) MLAs moved a motion to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Act, which has been a contentious issue in the state. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also protested, demanding that the Question Hour be held as scheduled.
The Waqf Act, which deals with the management and administration of Wakf properties, has been a subject of controversy in Jammu and Kashmir. The government has been accused of attempting to amend the Act, which has raised concerns among the Muslim community. The NC, which is the main opposition party in the state, has been vocal in its criticism of the government’s move, alleging that it is an attempt to undermine the rights of the Muslim community.
On Monday, NC MLAs moved a motion to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Act, citing the need for a thorough debate on the issue. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied the motion, saying that it was not in order. This led to an uproar in the House, with NC MLAs shouting slogans and demanding that the motion be accepted.
The BJP, which is a part of the ruling coalition in the state, also joined the protest, demanding that the Question Hour be held as scheduled. The party’s MLAs claimed that the NC was trying to disrupt the House’s proceedings and create a ruckus on the issue.
The situation in the House soon became uncontrollable, with MLAs from both sides engaging in heated exchanges. The Speaker had to intervene several times to restore order, but his efforts were in vain. Finally, he had to adjourn the House to prevent any further chaos.
The adjournment of the House has sparked a fresh controversy, with both the NC and the BJP trading charges. The NC has accused the government of being insensitive to the concerns of the Muslim community, while the BJP has alleged that the NC was trying to create a communal divide.
The Waqf Act has been a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir for several years now. The Act was introduced in the state in 1960 to regulate the management and administration of Wakf properties, which are considered sacred by the Muslim community. However, over the years, there have been allegations of misuse and mismanagement of these properties, leading to widespread protests and agitations.
The government has been accused of trying to amend the Act to give more powers to the state administration, which has raised concerns among the Muslim community. The NC has been leading the opposition to the proposed amendments, citing the need to protect the rights of the Muslim community.
The controversy over the Waqf Act has also taken a communal turn in recent days, with both the NC and the BJP accusing each other of trying to create a communal divide. The NC has accused the BJP of trying to polarize the state on communal lines, while the BJP has alleged that the NC is trying to create a rift between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
The adjournment of the House on Monday has only added to the controversy, with both sides refusing to back down. The situation in the state is likely to remain tense in the coming days, with the Waqf Act issue set to continue to dominate the political discourse.
