Ruckus inside J&K Assembly continues for second day over Waqf Act
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly continued to witness ruckus for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, as opposition parties demanded a discussion on the Waqf Act. The Assembly was adjourned for 30 minutes after the Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather refused to grant permission for a discussion on the issue.
The drama began on Monday when the National Conference (NC) MLAs moved a motion to adjourn the Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Act. However, Speaker Rather denied the motion, leading to protests from the opposition parties. The Assembly was adjourned for the day soon after.
On Tuesday, the opposition parties continued to press for a discussion on the Waqf Act, with the NC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Congress MLAs raising slogans and holding placards demanding a debate on the issue.
The J&K Waqf Act was passed by the previous BJP-PDP government in 2019, which gave the Waqf Board the power to decide on the allocation of Waqf properties and the appointment of its employees. The Act also provided for the setting up of a high-level committee to oversee the functioning of the Waqf Board.
The opposition parties have been demanding a discussion on the Waqf Act, alleging that it was passed without consulting the stakeholders. They claim that the Act has been misused by the previous government to favor certain individuals and parties.
The NC MLA, Mohammad Akbar Lone, said that the Waqf Act was a “black law” that needed to be repealed. “The Act has been passed to favor certain individuals and parties, and it has caused harm to the Waqf properties and institutions,” he said.
The PDP MLA, Abdul Haq Khan, also raised concerns over the Act, saying that it had led to a lack of transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Waqf Board. “The Act has given rise to corruption and nepotism, and it needs to be reviewed,” he said.
The Congress MLA, Vikramaditya Singh, also demanded a discussion on the Waqf Act, saying that it was a matter of great importance. “The Waqf Act affects the lives of lakhs of people in Jammu and Kashmir, and it needs to be discussed in the Assembly,” he said.
The Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, however, refused to grant permission for a discussion on the Waqf Act. “The matter is sub judice, and it cannot be discussed in the Assembly,” he said.
The ruckus in the Assembly continued for several hours, with the opposition parties refusing to budge. The Speaker finally adjourned the Assembly for 30 minutes, citing the lack of decorum.
The J&K Assembly has been witnessing frequent disruptions and adjournments in recent times, with the opposition parties demanding a discussion on various issues, including the Waqf Act. The Assembly has also been facing criticism for the lack of functioning and the frequent adjournments.
The Waqf Act controversy is the latest in a series of issues that have been plaguing the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. The Assembly has been facing criticism for the lack of transparency and accountability, with many MLAs demanding reforms to improve the functioning of the House.
In conclusion, the ruckus inside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly over the Waqf Act is a reflection of the deep-seated divisions within the House. The opposition parties are demanding a discussion on the Act, alleging that it has been misused by the previous government. The Speaker, however, has refused to grant permission for a discussion, citing the matter being sub judice. The controversy is likely to continue, with the opposition parties refusing to back down.
