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 after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied an adjournment motion on the Waqf Act. The impasse was sparked by a disagreement between the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on whether to discuss the contentious Waqf Act or proceed with the Question Hour.
The drama unfolded when National Conference MLAs moved a motion to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Act, which has been a subject of controversy and debate in the state. The Waqf Act, which regulates the management of shrines and mosques, was introduced by the previous government in 2019 and has been criticized by many for allegedly favoring one community over others.
However, the BJP protested the motion, demanding that the Question Hour be held as scheduled. The BJP MLAs argued that the Waqf Act was a “state subject” and that the state government should not be pressured into discussing it in the House. The NC MLAs, on the other hand, insisted that the Act was a “central subject” and that the Centre had the authority to intervene.
The Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, rejected the adjournment motion, citing the House rules and procedures. This move sparked an uproar in the Assembly, with both sides refusing to back down. The NC MLAs started shouting slogans and demanding that the Speaker reconsider his decision, while the BJP MLAs retaliated by shouting back and demanding that the Question Hour proceed as scheduled.
The situation became so intense that the Speaker was forced to adjourn the House for the day, bringing an end to the Question Hour. The adjournment was greeted with loud protests and chants from both sides, with neither side willing to concede.
The standoff over the Waqf Act has been ongoing for several months, with the NC and the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) demanding that the Act be repealed or amended, while the BJP has been insisting that it should be implemented in its current form.
The controversy surrounding the Waqf Act has also been criticized by many civil society groups and religious organizations, who have accused the government of trying to impose its own version of Islamic law on the state. Many have argued that the Act is an attempt to undermine the state’s secular character and to favor one community over others.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has been plagued by disruptions and adjournments in recent months, with both the NC and the BJP accusing each other of being responsible for the chaos. The Assembly has been unable to function smoothly due to the ongoing political impasse and the lack of consensus on key issues.
The adjournment of the House on Monday has raised concerns about the ability of the Assembly to function effectively and to address the pressing issues facing the state. The state is currently facing a range of challenges, including a deteriorating economy, high unemployment rates, and a political crisis that has left the state without a functional government.
As the standoff over the Waqf Act continues, it remains to be seen whether the Assembly will be able to function smoothly and address the pressing issues facing the state. The crisis has also sparked concerns about the future of the state’s political process and the ability of the Assembly to represent the interests of all segments of society.
News Source:
https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1909114084458381436
