Jammu & Kashmir Assembly adjourned amid uproar over Waqf Act
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a chaotic scene on Monday, with the House being adjourned amid loud protests and pandemonium. The commotion was triggered by the Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, denying an adjournment motion on the Waqf Act, which led to a heated debate and ultimately, the adjournment of the House.
The drama unfolded when National Conference (NC) MLAs moved a motion to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the contentious Waqf Act. However, their efforts were met with strong opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which demanded that the Question Hour be held as scheduled.
The Waqf Act has been a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir, with various political parties having different views on its implementation. The Act aims to regulate and manage the Waqf properties, which are considered sacred by the Muslim community. However, the BJP has been critical of the Act, claiming that it is being used to promote a particular religion.
As the NC MLAs moved the motion to adjourn the Question Hour, the BJP MLAs countered by demanding that the House proceed with the scheduled agenda. The Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, refused to accept the NC’s motion, stating that it was not in order.
The refusal to accept the motion sparked a heated debate, with NC MLAs vociferously protesting the decision. The BJP MLAs, on the other hand, accused the NC of trying to stall the proceedings of the House.
The situation soon escalated, with both sides exchanging heated words and shouting slogans. The Speaker repeatedly tried to restore order, but his efforts were unsuccessful. Eventually, he was forced to adjourn the House, bringing the proceedings to a halt.
The adjournment of the House has raised concerns about the future of the Waqf Act, which is currently pending in the Assembly. The Act has been a bone of contention between the BJP and the NC, with both parties having different views on its implementation.
The NC has been pushing for the passage of the Waqf Act, claiming that it is necessary to protect the Waqf properties and ensure their proper management. The BJP, on the other hand, has been opposing the Act, claiming that it is against the principles of secularism and promotes a particular religion.
The controversy surrounding the Waqf Act has been ongoing for several months, with various political parties weighing in on the issue. The NC and the Congress have been supporting the Act, while the BJP and the PDP have been opposing it.
The development has also raised concerns about the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, which has been facing difficulties in recent times. The Assembly has been unable to pass any significant legislation in recent years, due to the ongoing political turmoil in the state.
The adjournment of the House has further complicated the situation, with no clear indication of when the Waqf Act will be taken up for discussion again. The controversy is likely to continue, with both sides dug in their positions.
In conclusion, the adjournment of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly amid uproar over the Waqf Act has raised serious concerns about the functioning of the House and the future of the Act. The controversy is likely to continue, with no clear indication of when a resolution will be reached. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are eagerly waiting for the Assembly to take up the issue and resolve the controversy once and for all.
