PDP, PC file no-confidence motion over Waqf bill row against Speaker for rejecting discussion in J&K Assembly

Srinagar, April 8: In a major escalation of the political standoff brewing in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, opposition parties led by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and People’s Conference (PC) on Monday submitted a formal no-confidence motion against Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather. The move comes in the wake of the Speaker’s decision to block discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill-2025, a move the opposition says has triggered widespread anger .

The motion, jointly filed by PC president Sajad Gani Lone and PDP legislators Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, Mir Muhammad Fayaz, and Rafiq Ahmed Naik, calls for the Speaker’s removal, alleging that his conduct has undermined the integrity and functioning of the legislature.

“The Speaker’s repeated refusal to allow debate on a matter of such significant public interest, including rejection of an adjournment motion and a resolution presented by opposition members, is a direct attack on the democratic process,” the notice stated. “This has led to outrage within the House and among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

The opposition maintained that the Speaker’s unilateral decisions not only silenced legitimate concerns over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill but also violated parliamentary norms, thereby justifying the need for his ouster. “Such conduct not only curtails debate on an issue of religious and social importance but also sets a dangerous precedent for the future of legislative transparency and accountability,” the motion noted.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill-2025 has emerged as a lightning rod of controversy in the region, with multiple political and religious organizations expressing concern over what they perceive as the central government’s increasing control over religious endowments and Muslim community assets such as mosques, graveyards, and shrines.

Tensions peaked after the Speaker repeatedly rejected calls for discussion, labeling the matter sub-judice, despite mounting pressure from opposition benches and sections of the ruling alliance.

Now, with the formal submission of the no-confidence motion, all eyes are on the National Conference (NC), a key player in the Assembly that has also publicly voiced dissatisfaction over the Speaker’s refusal to entertain debate on the Bill. The NC’s stand on the no-confidence motion could prove to be a turning point in the political dynamics of the Assembly.

PDP’s Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, who was earlier marshalled out of the Assembly for vocally demanding a debate on the Bill, accused the ruling National Conference of staging a drama to avoid taking a clear stand. “When other states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu can oppose the Act, what’s stopping the NC here? They are hiding behind technicalities while the Speaker shields the central agenda,” Para said.

Meanwhile, PC’s Sajad Lone reiterated that the opposition is not just fighting over a piece of legislation but for the soul of legislative democracy. “This isn’t merely a procedural lapse—it’s a suppression of political expression. We won’t allow institutions to be turned into rubber stamps,” he stated.

As the controversy deepens, the coming days will witness heightened political activity and possible confrontations in the House, especially if the no-confidence motion is taken up for discussion.