Jammu & Kashmir Assembly adjourned amid uproar over Waqf Act
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a massive uproar on Monday after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied an adjournment motion on the Waqf Act, leading to the House being adjourned. The development came as a result of the intense debate and protests that erupted between the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members.
The drama unfolded when National Conference MLAs moved a motion to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Act, which has been a contentious issue in the state. The Waqf Act, also known as the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf (Management and Regulation) Act, 2013, aims to provide for the management and regulation of Waqf properties in the state. However, its implementation has been mired in controversy, with both the NC and the BJP having different views on the matter.
The NC MLAs, led by senior leader Ali Muhammad Sagar, demanded that the Question Hour be adjourned to discuss the Waqf Act, which they claimed was being misused by the government to benefit one particular community. They alleged that the government was trying to destroy the Waqf properties and hand them over to private individuals and organizations. The NC MLAs also accused the government of not consulting the stakeholders, including the Waqf Board, while drafting the Act.
However, the BJP members, led by their leader Ravinder Raina, strongly opposed the adjournment motion and demanded that the Question Hour be held. They claimed that the Waqf Act was a necessary legislation that aimed to protect the Waqf properties and prevent their misuse. The BJP leaders also accused the NC of trying to politicize the issue and create chaos in the House.
The Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, denied the adjournment motion, citing that the Question Hour was a fixed slot and could not be disrupted. He also warned the members that any further disruption would not be tolerated. However, the NC and BJP members continued to protest, leading to the Speaker adjourning the House.
The development has sparked a fresh debate on the Waqf Act, with both the NC and BJP hardening their stance. The NC has accused the BJP of trying to suppress the truth and manipulate the system to benefit a particular community, while the BJP has accused the NC of trying to create divisions and disrupt the House.
The Waqf Act has been a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir for several years now. The Act was first introduced in 2013, but its implementation has been delayed due to opposition from various quarters. The Act aims to provide for the management and regulation of Waqf properties, including mosques, imambaras, and other religious institutions.
However, the Act has been criticized for being discriminatory and biased towards a particular community. Many have alleged that the Act is aimed at destroying the Waqf properties and handing them over to private individuals and organizations. The Act has also been criticized for not providing adequate representation to the stakeholders, including the Waqf Board and the Muslim community.
The controversy over the Waqf Act has led to a fresh round of political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir. The NC and BJP have been at loggerheads over several issues, including the Waqf Act, and the situation is unlikely to improve in the near future.
In conclusion, the adjournment of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly amid uproar over the Waqf Act highlights the deep divisions and political tensions in the state. The controversy over the Waqf Act is likely to continue, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.
