Waqf Act Uproar: NC, Congress Create Ruckus in Assembly Over Waqf Law, Demand Immediate Discussion

Uproar Over Waqf Act Forces Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to Adjourn for the Day Amid Raging Opposition Protests

JAMMU, April 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was marred by continuous disruptions on Monday, ultimately forcing Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to adjourn the House for the entire day following an intense uproar over the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act. The unrest began after the Speaker rejected an adjournment motion moved by National Conference (NC) legislators, citing that the matter was sub judice.

The motion, jointly moved by NC leaders Nazir Gurezi and Tanvir Sadiq, aimed to suspend the routine Question Hour and bring the Waqf Amendment Act to the floor for immediate discussion. A total of nine legislators, including members from the NC, Congress, and some Independents, had supported the adjournment plea. However, Speaker Rather declined the motion, sparking vociferous protests from the Opposition benches.

The House had to be adjourned twice before being reconvened briefly, only to descend into chaos again. Finally, the Speaker adjourned proceedings for the day, unable to restore order amid repeated shouting and sloganeering.

Tanvir Sadiq, while addressing the Speaker in the middle of the chaos, made an emotional appeal, saying, “It is a religious matter concerning our faith. There is no issue more pressing than this. Will you, Speaker, adjourn the House to address this critical issue?”

Tensions further escalated after BJP’s Leader of the House, Sunil Sharma, vocally opposed the adjournment motion, leading to a loud confrontation between Treasury and Opposition benches. NC and Congress members raised slogans such as “BJP haay haay” (Down with BJP) and “Bill wapas karo” (Withdraw the Bill), accusing the government of undermining the sentiments of the Muslim community through the passage of the Waqf law.

The legislative agenda for the day was effectively derailed. It had included eight call-attention motions, seven private members’ resolutions, and significant business such as discussions on three key resolutions related to the restoration of statehood, to be presented by the Secretary of the House. However, all proceedings came to a standstill due to the intensifying protests.

The opposition’s firm resistance to the Waqf Act has grown in recent days, with political parties alleging that the new provisions dilute the autonomy and community control over Waqf properties. Monday’s Assembly session clearly illustrated the growing rift between the ruling BJP and regional parties over the sensitive legislation, which many in the Valley view as an infringement on religious and institutional rights.

The day’s developments signal a turbulent political climate ahead, especially as the Waqf issue continues to galvanize both public sentiment and political maneuvering within Jammu and Kashmir.