Speaker Blocks Waqf Act Debate in J&K Assembly, Sparks Accusations of NC ‘Double Game’

In a move that stunned many in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday disallowed an adjournment motion brought by the ruling National Conference (NC) and its allies to discuss the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act passed by Parliament. The move triggered chaos in the House and renewed allegations of political duplicity against the Omar Abdullah-led NC government.

The Speaker — an NC appointee — cited the matter as sub judice, noting that several petitions challenging the Act were pending before the Supreme Court. However, critics pointed out that the court had not yet admitted those petitions, raising doubts over the procedural justification.

The adjournment motion, moved by NC MLAs Nazir Gurezi and Tanvir Sadiq, and supported by Congress and Independents, was meant to initiate a discussion on the Waqf law. Ironically, NC members later joined the Opposition in storming the well of the House, protesting the very decision made by their own Speaker. This contradiction led to accusations from opposition parties of a staged performance by NC to avoid both the Waqf debate and other critical resolutions — especially those seeking the restoration of J&K’s statehood.

“Staged Drama” and Stalled Resolutions

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti called the Speaker’s decision “profoundly disappointing” and accused the government of bowing to the BJP’s “anti-Muslim agenda.” She noted that Tamil Nadu, with only 6% Muslim population, had the courage to pass a resolution against the Waqf law, while the Muslim-majority J&K Assembly failed to even debate it.

Peoples Conference (PC) leader Sajad Lone, too, questioned the Speaker’s logic and the very act of a ruling party moving an adjournment motion. “An adjournment motion is essentially a censure motion. Why isn’t the NC bringing a no-confidence motion against its own Speaker if it’s serious?” he asked. Lone alleged that the chaos conveniently derailed discussion on three pending resolutions for restoring J&K’s statehood, all of which lapsed due to the Assembly’s disruption.

Blocked Bills and Unanswered Questions

Lone’s own resolutions — one demanding the restoration of Article 370 and 35A, and another calling for the return of J&K prisoners jailed under the PSA in other states — were also disallowed. While sources claimed that the latter fell under the Centre’s jurisdiction, Lone dismissed that logic, stating, “This House reflects the will of the people. Whether Delhi agrees is irrelevant.”

A private member’s Bill by PDP MLA Waheed Para, proposing the restoration of the July 13 “Martyrs’ Day” holiday, was also kept out of the ballot despite initial acceptance — further fueling opposition ire.

Chaos in the House

Tensions boiled over as the Speaker refused to admit the Waqf motion. Slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” from BJP MLAs were met with cries of “Allahu Akbar” and “Nara-e-Takbeer” from the other side. Amid the uproar, NC member Majid Larmi’s achkan was torn in the scuffle, and party members held up the fabric as a symbolic protest.

Red Carpet for Rijiju Adds Fuel to Fire

Adding to the controversy was the J&K government’s warm welcome to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju — the architect of the Waqf Bill — in Srinagar on the same day. PDP leader Iltija Mufti remarked on X: “What’s left to say when the CM of India’s only Muslim-majority state gives a red carpet welcome to the BJP minister who introduced the Waqf Bill meant to disempower Muslims?”

Sajad Lone echoed the sentiment, saying, “At the very least, the CM could have boycotted the visit in protest. Instead, he walked alongside Farooq sahib. What a shame.”