Title: Ruckus inside J&K Assembly continues for second day over Waqf Act
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed yet another tumultuous day on Tuesday, with opposition parties continuing to demand a discussion on the Waqf Act. The ruckus led to the Assembly being adjourned for 30 minutes, marking the second consecutive day of disruptions.
The trouble began when National Conference (NC) MLAs moved a motion to adjourn Question Hour and discuss the Waqf Act. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied the motion, leading to vociferous protests from the opposition benches. The NC MLAs, supported by other opposition parties, demanded that the Speaker allow a discussion on the contentious issue.
The Waqf Act, which was passed by the previous state government in 2019, has been a subject of controversy in the Valley. The opposition parties have been demanding a rollback of the law, claiming that it is an attempt to dilute the rights of Muslims in the state. The government, on the other hand, has maintained that the Act is necessary to protect the Waqf properties and ensure their proper maintenance.
The NC MLAs, led by their leader Omar Abdullah, vehemently protested the Speaker’s decision, shouting slogans and waving papers in the air. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLAs also joined the protests, demanding that the Waqf Act be taken up for discussion.
The Speaker, however, remained unmoved, and eventually, the Assembly was adjourned for 30 minutes. The decision was made after the opposition parties refused to calm down and allow the Question Hour to proceed.
The ruckus inside the Assembly continued even after the adjournment, with opposition MLAs refusing to return to their seats. The Speaker had to intervene personally to restore order, warning the MLAs that any further disruptions would result in their suspension.
The Waqf Act controversy has been simmering for months, with the opposition parties accusing the government of trying to impose its will on the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The government, on the other hand, has maintained that the Act is necessary to ensure the protection and preservation of Waqf properties.
The opposition parties have also accused the government of not listening to their concerns and demands. “The government is not willing to listen to our demands and is instead trying to suppress our voices,” said NC MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister, Ali Mohammed Sagar.
The BJP, which has been supporting the government from outside, has also come under criticism for its stance on the Waqf Act. The party’s MLAs were seen cheering and clapping as the Speaker denied the motion to discuss the Act, leading to further protests from the opposition.
The PDP, which has been critical of the government’s handling of the Waqf Act, has called for a united opposition to take on the government. “We will not allow the government to bulldoze its decisions without a discussion,” said PDP MLA and former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti.
The Waqf Act controversy has also led to tensions between the government and the opposition parties. The government has accused the opposition parties of trying to create communal tensions in the state, while the opposition parties have accused the government of trying to impose its will on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The ruckus inside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly continues to highlight the deep divisions between the government and the opposition parties. The Waqf Act controversy is likely to continue to simmer for some time, with the opposition parties refusing to back down and the government refusing to budge.
As the situation remains tense, it is unclear what the future holds for the Waqf Act and the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. One thing is certain, however, that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be watching closely to see how this controversy plays out.
