Waqf, statehood, liquor ban set to dominate J&K Assembly session

The second leg of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session, beginning Monday, is expected to be a stormy affair, with multiple contentious issues dominating the agenda. These include the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, the recent transfer of JKAS officials and several private members’ bills and resolutions.

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Tensions have risen between the elected government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha over the transfer of 48 JKAS officers. While the elected government asserts that such transfers fall under its jurisdiction, Sinha has responded by stating, “I know my limits,” indicating a potential tug-of-war between the two power centres.

In response to the transfers, the National Conference (NC) and its alliance partners, including the Congress, held a strategy meeting in Srinagar on Friday. Following the meeting, party leaders warned that “New Delhi should not push it to the wall,” signalling their intention to raise the matter aggressively in the Assembly.

Another flashpoint is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, which has already received Presidential assent. Given the significant Muslim population in the UT, opposition to the bill is expected to create a storm in the Assembly. A private member’s resolution related to the Waqf Bill is scheduled for debate on Monday and is likely to provoke heated exchanges between the BJP’s 28 MLAs and other members.

Sources indicate that a group of legislators may move an adjournment motion to suspend routine business and allow for discussion on what they term “burning issues.” Additionally, a resolution calling for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is anticipated during the session.

Among the private members’ bills lined up is one proposing a ban on alcohol in J&K, which could place NC legislators in a political dilemma. With most of their constituencies in Muslim-majority areas, the party faces pressure to support the ban. However, the NC-led government has indicated that such a move could negatively impact the region’s tourism-dependent economy.

The session, which was adjourned for 12 days on March 25 for Eid and Navratra, is scheduled to conclude on April 9. Private members’ bills are slated for discussion on April 8.