Ruckus inside J&K Assembly continues for second day over Waqf Act
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed yet another tumultuous session on Tuesday, with opposition parties continuing to demand a discussion on the Waqf Act. The ruckus started early in the day, with National Conference (NC) MLAs moving a motion to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the contentious issue. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied their plea, leading to the Assembly being adjourned for 30 minutes.
This is the second consecutive day that the Assembly has been disrupted over the Waqf Act, which has sparked widespread protests and unrest in the valley. On Monday, the Assembly was adjourned after NC MLAs moved a similar motion, which was also denied by the Speaker.
The Waqf Act, which was passed by the previous government in 2019, has been a major point of contention in the valley. The act allows the government to take control of all Waqf properties, including mosques, imambaras, and shrines, and vest it with the Waqf Board, which is controlled by the government.
Opposition parties, including the NC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have been demanding a discussion on the act, alleging that it is an attempt to diminish the religious and cultural identity of the people of Kashmir. They have also accused the government of not consulting them on the issue, and of trying to impose its will on the people.
The NC MLAs, led by their leader Omar Abdullah, were seen shouting slogans and demanding a discussion on the Waqf Act. They alleged that the government was trying to divide the people of Kashmir on communal lines, and that the act was an attempt to take control of all religious institutions in the valley.
The PDP MLAs, led by their leader Mehbooba Mufti, also joined the chorus, demanding a discussion on the act. They alleged that the government was trying to impose its will on the people, and that the act was a violation of the fundamental rights of the people of Kashmir.
The government, however, has maintained that the Waqf Act is a necessary step to regularize the management of Waqf properties, and to ensure that the funds generated from these properties are utilized for the welfare of the people.
The government has also accused the opposition parties of trying to create communal tensions in the valley, and of playing politics over a sensitive issue. The government has claimed that the Waqf Act is a progressive step, and that it will help to promote peace and harmony in the valley.
The ruckus in the Assembly has once again highlighted the deep divisions within the state’s political establishment. The opposition parties have accused the government of being insensitive to the concerns of the people, and of trying to impose its will on them. The government, on the other hand, has accused the opposition parties of playing politics over a sensitive issue.
As the stalemate continues, it remains to be seen whether the government will buckle under pressure and agree to a discussion on the Waqf Act. The opposition parties have given a stern warning that they will continue to disrupt the Assembly till their demand is met.
The situation is likely to remain tense in the coming days, with the opposition parties refusing to back down and the government refusing to budge. The people of Kashmir are watching the developments with great interest, and are hoping that a solution is found soon to end the impasse.
