PDP MLA Waheed Para Marshalled Out Amid Uproar Over Waqf Act In J&K Assembly
Jammu, Apr 8: High drama unfolded in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Tuesday as PDP MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para was forcibly marshalled out of the House after staging a vociferous protest and pressing for the passage of a fresh resolution against the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act. The Assembly was rocked by chaos for the second consecutive day over the issue, reflecting deep political divisions on the matter.
Para approached the well of the House early in the session, holding a copy of his proposed resolution and demanding its immediate adoption to send a strong message to the central government against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which he described as an assault on Muslim community assets. His continued insistence led to heated exchanges with Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who repeatedly asked him to return to his seat.
As the confrontation escalated, National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi attempted to physically restrain Para, sparking further commotion. People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone intervened, leading to a verbal face-off that intensified tensions on the floor. Eventually, the Speaker directed marshals to evict Para from the House.
Despite Para’s removal, chaos persisted, with National Conference members and several independent MLAs storming the well and demanding an open debate on the Waqf amendment. The situation grew so unruly that the Speaker had to adjourn the House twice—first for 30 minutes and then until 1 PM.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Para expressed strong disapproval of the Speaker’s stance, stating, “I had moved a resolution against the Waqf Amendment Act, but it was neither accepted nor formally rejected. This is a blatant suppression of a legitimate concern.”
The para also leveled sharp criticism against the National Conference, accusing the party of colluding with the BJP to shield the controversial legislation. “This is political theatre at the expense of public sentiment. When southern states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu can pass resolutions against this Act, what’s stopping the NC? They have over 50 MLAs. Their inaction exposes their double standards,” he said.
He further questioned the absence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from the Assembly proceedings for the second day in a row, especially when, according to Para, the matter directly concerns Muslim community properties such as mosques, shrines, and graveyards.
“Instead of attending the session, the Chief Minister is busy welcoming Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at the Tulip Garden. This symbolic alignment with the BJP-led Centre underscores the NC’s silent endorsement of the Waqf Amendment,” he alleged.
Reiterating his party’s opposition to the Act, Para said the amendment has sparked anger and unease among India’s 24 crore Muslims and that silence from the J&K government and NC only seeks to normalize what he called an unjust law.
Meanwhile, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather stood by his decision, arguing that the Waqf issue was sub judice and out of the purview of state-level debate. “You cannot undo what Parliament has already enacted. The House cannot be turned into a battleground for already settled legislative decisions,” he asserted.
