Wakf issue: Disruptions continue in Assembly

Jammu, Apr 8: The Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed continued disruptions for the second consecutive day on Tuesday over the contentious Waqf (Amendment) bill-2025. The Speaker adjourned the House twice for brief intervals before eventually adjourning it for the day.
As soon as the House assembled this morning, National Conference MLAs stood up, demanding that their adjournment motion be allowed to discuss implications of the Waqf law.
Legislators of Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Conference and Sheikh Khursheed were also on their feet demanding that a resolution be passed against the law.
As PDP’s Waheed-ur- Rehman Parra waved a copy of the resolution brought by him, NC’s Majid Larmi moved towards him and accused him (Para) of being RSS agent, leading to a verbal duel between the duos.
With NC legislators leveling allegations PDP and PC, Sajad Lone taunted them. “Tulip, Tulip, Rijju, Rijju, “Lone was repeatedly chanting in an apparent reference to photographs of Omar Abdullah with Union Minister Kiren Rijju at the Tulip Garden in Srinagar.
Amid commotion in the House, Para attempted to storm into the well of the House to push for passage of the resolution.
“You should first pass a resolution against the Waqf Bill. This is an important issue. It is the question of our religion,” he said, accusing NC legislators of siding with BJP.
The Speaker directed the Marshals to remove him from the Assembly.
As Parra was being escorted out by the Marshals, Sajad Lone attempted to intervene, trying to free him from their grasp.
There was no end to chaos after Para was removed from the House as NC legislators continued with their demand for discussions.
Amid protests, the Speaker said that J&K Legislative Assembly cannot overturn the decisions made by the Parliament
“You cannot undo what Parliament has done,” he declared, stressing that there is no question of discussion over the House.
He also adjourned the House for 30 minutes.
As the House reconvened after adjournment, NC MLAs persisted with demand for discussion on the House.
Citing sub-Rule 9 of Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the House, the Speaker said that the motion cannot be entertained as it is not concern of the government.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, however, said it is the concern of the government.
“If it (Waqf Bill) is the concern of members of the House, it is the concern of the government too. We cannot say it is not the concern of the government,” he said.
NC minister Javid Ahmad Dar also countered the Speaker, saying the matter is of concern for the government.
Amid continuous disruptions by NC MLAs, the Speaker adjourned the House till 1: 00 PM.
As the House reassembled, NC MLA Mubarak Gul urged the Speaker to allow discussion on the issue.
As Gul continued with the demand, the BJP legislators shouted slogans “Dramabazi Bandh Karo” and “Gundahgardi Nahi Chalegi”, triggering chaos in the House.
The Speaker adjourned the House for the day. (KNO)