J&K Assembly adjourned after ruckus by MLAs seeking discussion on Waqf Act

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The second leg of the Budget session, which began on Monday in Jammu, has seen little legislative business due to continuous protests and demands by both ruling alliance and opposition MLAs—mostly from the Valley—for a discussion on the Waqf Act, which Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has already disallowed.

When the House convened on Tuesday morning, several NC MLAs raised demand for discussion on the Waqf Act. The Speaker once again disallowed the request. Interestingly, as the demand persisted, the Speaker stated that the matter, being sub judice, could not be discussed and was not a concern of the government. This statement triggered strong reactions from multiple MLAs and ministers, including Sakina Itoo, Javed Dar, and Javed Rana.

Recognising the sensitive nature of the topic, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said, “We should listen to them (MLAs) as we have been elected by the people. If the issue concerns the members, then it is a concern for the government as well. We cannot dismiss the issue by claiming it is not a government matter.”

As the Speaker urged the protesting MLAs to allow the question hour to begin, MLAs from the NC, Congress, PDP, and Independents entered the well of the House, raising slogans and demanding the withdrawal of the Waqf Act.

The Speaker ordered the marshaling out of PDP MLA Waheed Para, who attempted to enter the well of the House, stating he had moved a fresh resolution against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Some NC MLAs confronted Para, leading to Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone stepping in to support him. A minor scuffle was witnessed between Para and some NC MLAs. As Para refused to return to his seat despite repeated pleas from the Speaker, he was ultimately marshaled out.

While many MLAs continued their protest, BJP members Rajiv Jasrotia and Pawan Gupta entered the well and staged a brief sit-in, stating that the House should be allowed to function.

Speaking to the media outside the Assembly, Para said, “J&K is a Muslim-majority region, and there are many Muslim MLAs in the House who want to discuss the Waqf Act. It is unfortunate on the part of the Speaker to remove me from the House."

Meanwhile, BJP member Sham Lal Sharma opposed the discussion and the adjournment of the House, stating that the Speaker had already given his ruling and rejected the adjournment motion as per the rule book. “The government has also joined them, which wasn’t the case in the past. The House is not being allowed to function by the treasury benches,” he said.

Sharma further stated that if members and the government no longer have faith in the Speaker, they should bring a no-confidence motion to remove him. “Let a new Speaker decide over it,” he added.

The treasury benches continued their protest, insisting on an adjournment and discussion on the Act.

BJP members raised slogans like “Gundagardi nahi chalegi,” “No scope for discussion,” and “Dramabazi band karo,” which were countered by NC members for several minutes.

The Speaker reiterated that his ruling was final and would not be changed, before adjourning the House for the day.