NC, Congress, CPI(M) MLAs Stage Protest Outside J&K Assembly Against Waqf Act, Accuse Centre of Religious Bias
Jammu, April 7: High drama unfolded outside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday as legislators from the National Conference (NC), Congress, CPI(M), and several Independent members staged a strong protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The demonstration took place at the Assembly’s main gate after the House was adjourned following heated exchanges and a ruckus over demands to discuss the controversial legislation.
The protesting MLAs accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of imposing a law that they claim infringes on the religious and constitutional rights of the people, particularly the Muslim community. They alleged the Speaker deliberately blocked a legitimate adjournment motion that called for a debate on the Waqf Act, citing that the matter was sub-judice.
NC legislator Altaf Kaloo, while addressing reporters, alleged that BJP members in the House resorted to manhandling and raised provocative religious slogans. “This is a democratic institution, not a wrestling ring. We came here to raise serious constitutional concerns, not to be intimidated,” Kaloo said. He added that the Speaker’s refusal to accept their motion was unjustified, especially when other states like Tamil Nadu have managed to pass resolutions with far less Muslim representation.
Veteran CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami, who also took part in the protest, called upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir to unite against what he termed the BJP’s “divisive politics.” “This is not just a Muslim issue. It’s about democratic values and rights. The BJP may try to polarize the situation, but we must remain united as citizens first,” Tarigami said, urging the people of Jammu to stand in solidarity.
Congress MLA Irfan Hafeez Lone intensified the agitation by carrying a banner that read “Waqf Amendment Bill is not acceptable to us.” Lone, while protesting at the Assembly stairs, openly accused the BJP of supporting Nathuram Godse’s ideology and undermining Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. His statements triggered uproar inside the House, where some BJP members rushed toward the well, resulting in minor scuffles involving Congress MLA Iftikhar Ahmed. The situation was quickly brought under control by the Assembly’s watch and ward staff.
Following the protest, Lone claimed he was physically threatened inside the House. “Had the security staff not intervened, they would have assaulted me. This was a direct attack,” he told reporters.
Reacting sharply to the events, Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma criticized the ruling NC for allegedly inciting communal sentiments. He accused the coalition of staging theatrics in the Assembly while having failed to raise any objections during parliamentary debates when the Act was passed. “The disruption is not only unconstitutional but also hypocritical. They remained mute in Parliament and now want to ignite passions here,” Sharma asserted.
