J&K Assembly adjourned after opposition protest over Waqf Amendment
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The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed uproar on Monday as opposition parties, including the National Conference (NC), Congress, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and several Independent MLAs, protested against the Waqf Amendment Act passed by Parliament. The ruckus led Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to adjourn the House for 15 minutes.
The disruption occurred during the first sitting of the Assembly’s 40-day Budget session following a holiday recess. As the House convened for the day, NC legislators, led by Nazir Gurezi and Tanvir Sadiq, moved a motion to suspend the question hour and initiate a debate on the Waqf law. The motion was supported by nine MLAs from the NC, Congress, and some Independents who had submitted a formal notice to the Speaker.
However, the demand was strongly opposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma leading the resistance. The disagreement quickly escalated, resulting in loud protests and shouting across the floor for over two minutes.
Citing Rule 58 of the House procedures, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied the request, stating that the issue could not be debated as it was sub judice. “I cannot allow adjournment in the House as the matter is currently in court,” he said.
This decision further angered the protesting MLAs, prompting NC, Congress, and PDP members to storm the well of the House, demanding that the matter be discussed despite the Speaker’s objection. In response to the growing chaos, the Speaker adjourned the session for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, three MLAs have submitted notices for private bills requesting that the Assembly pass a resolution urging the Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. The Speaker has yet to announce a decision on these proposals.
Earlier in the session, the Assembly had passed a resolution in favor of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution was formally presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah by the J&K Chief Minister during his first visit to Delhi after assuming office.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is currently on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, addressed BJP MLAs on Sunday, stating that there is complete clarity on the issue of statehood. He reaffirmed that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time.
With IANS inputs
