Sajad Lone accuses NC of sabotaging Waqf debate

Srinagar, Apr 9: Peoples Conference Chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, in a scathing attack on the ruling National Conference (NC) on Wednesday, accused the party of deliberately stifling debate on the controversial Waqf Amendment Act in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to “remain in BJP’s good books.
Lone addressed a press conference hours after the Assembly Speaker adjourned the House sine die, effectively cutting short the session without addressing the Waqf bill. He alleged a “fixed match” between the NC and BJP, claiming the two parties conspired to silence opposition to the legislation, which he argued undermines Muslim autonomy over religious endowments in India’s only Muslim-majority region.
Further, Lone condemned the Speaker’s decision to block discussion. “This was a fixed match. The Speaker is an NC member, placed there by his party. Those protesting outside were NC workers, and those posing for selfies in Tulip Garden were also NC leaders. People now see NC’s true face. For three days, they stalled us. Then the Assembly was dissolved. They ensured no voice from Jammu and Kashmir could challenge this bill.”
Lone drew parallels to past controversies under NC rule, including the 1987 election rigging, the imposition of POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act), and the executions of Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru: “Who signed those death warrants? Who defended the BJP alliance while being their foreign ministers? NC must answer for the bloodshed during their tenure.”
Lone mocked former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent visit to Srinagar’s Tulip Garden with Union Minister Kiran Rijiju, calling it a staged spectacle. “Omar sahab claims he ‘just went for a walk’—but with a 40-car convoy? He took selfies with the union minister. Actually, he’s desperate to stay in BJP’s good graces.”
The PC chairman revealed that opposition members had filed a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, daring NC to support it. “If NC backs the motion, they admit the Speaker erred. If they reject it, they’re complicit. Today, NC must choose: side with Kashmir or BJP.”
On the Speaker’s claim that the Waqf issue was “sub-judice,” Lone claimed that the Supreme Court hasn’t even admitted a single petition. “This is pure drama. Passing a resolution wouldn’t land anyone in jail—it’s about democratic dissent. Muslims, like all Indians, deserve the right to manage their religious affairs without sermons from non-Muslims. This is about faith, not politics.”
“Fifty members cutting papers, shouting—it’s a picnic, not a legislature. History will condemn NC for betraying Kashmiris,” Lone said. (KNO)