Jammu & Kashmir Assembly adjourned amid uproar over Waqf Act
In a dramatic turn of events, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a massive uproar on Monday, as the Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, denied an adjournment motion on the Waqf Act, leading to the House being adjourned. The commotion was sparked when National Conference (NC) MLAs moved a motion to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the contentious Waqf Act, which has been a subject of controversy in the region. However, the BJP also protested, demanding that the Question Hour be held as scheduled.
The Waqf Act, which was passed in 2019, aimed to regulate and manage the Waqf properties in the region. However, the Act has been criticized by many, including the NC, which claims that it is unconstitutional and undermines the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The opposition party has been demanding a review of the Act, but the government has refused to budge.
On Monday, the NC MLAs, led by party president Farooq Abdullah, moved the adjournment motion, seeking to discuss the Waqf Act in the House. However, the Speaker denied the motion, stating that the Question Hour was not the appropriate time to discuss the issue. This decision did not go down well with the NC MLAs, who vociferously protested and demanded that the Speaker reconsider his decision.
The BJP, which is a part of the ruling coalition in the state, also jumped into the fray, protesting the NC’s demand for an adjournment motion. The saffron party claimed that the Question Hour was the most important part of the day’s proceedings and that the NC was trying to derail the House’s business.
The heated debate and protests in the Assembly led to a tense atmosphere, with both sides refusing to back down. The Speaker’s decision was seen as a victory for the government, but the NC MLAs were left feeling frustrated and angry.
The Waqf Act has been a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir for some time now. The Act was passed in 2019, but it has been criticized by many, including the NC, which claims that it is unconstitutional and undermines the special status of the state. The opposition party has been demanding a review of the Act, but the government has refused to budge.
The NC has been vocal in its opposition to the Waqf Act, claiming that it is a attempt by the government to undermine the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The party has also accused the government of trying to divide the people of the state along communal lines.
The BJP, on the other hand, has been defending the Waqf Act, claiming that it is necessary to ensure the proper management of Waqf properties in the state. The party has also accused the NC of trying to politicize the issue and create communal tension.
The controversy surrounding the Waqf Act is not new. In 2020, the NC had moved a motion in the Assembly to review the Act, but it was defeated by the government. Since then, the issue has been simmering in the background, with both sides refusing to back down.
The adjournment of the Assembly on Monday has once again highlighted the deep divisions within the state’s politics. The issue of the Waqf Act is not likely to go away anytime soon, and it remains to be seen how the government and the opposition will resolve their differences.
