Chaos erupted in the Jammu Kashmir assembly on Tuesday as opposition parties demanded a discussion on the waqf act, recently passed by the parliament. The chaos led to the house being adjourned for 30 minutes. Opposition parties, including the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), had moved an adjournment motion to initiate a discussion on the Waqf Act. However, the motion was denied by the Speaker under Rule 58 of the Assembly procedures. Rule 58 prohibits discussion on any bill currently under judicial consideration. Several political parties and organizations, including the AIMIM and the Congress, have already filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the implementation of the Act.
Following the Speaker’s refusal, PDP MLA Waheed Para was marshalled out of the Assembly while protesting the decision. Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Para called the situation “unfortunate,” citing the significance of the Act in a Muslim-majority region. "It is unfortunate that Jammu and Kashmir, being a Muslim-majority region—and the only state with a Muslim Chief Minister cannot even discuss a bill that affects the religious sentiments of 24 crore Muslims across the country," Para said. He urged fellow legislators to support the PDP’s resolution against the Act, warning, "There are 60 MLAs here. If they do not support a resolution, we’ve brought against the Waqf Act, I think history will judge us forever."
Para sharply criticized the Waqf Act, calling it an affront to the religious beliefs of Muslims. He also took aim at JandK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for hosting Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the bill in Parliament."This Act has been passed against the emotions, sentiments, and religious beliefs of Muslims. It makes claims over our cemeteries, our masjids, and more. Yet, our Chief Minister gave a red-carpet welcome to the same Union Minister who introduced this bill," Para said, referring to a recent meeting between Omar Abdullah and Minister Rijiju during the latter’s visit to Srinagar. The two were photographed together at the city’s Tulip Garden.
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Appealing for sensitivity on the matter, Para added, "Whether it’s the Jama Masjid, a dargah, or any other religious site, these should not be viewed as real estate or property—they are the emotional and spiritual identity of every Muslim. The government should remain neutral on such matters. Instead, this Act has now created a potential flashpoint for conflict and tension." Meanwhile, AIP MLA Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, brother of Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, also staged a protest inside the Assembly. Demanding a discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Sheikh was seen shouting, “Mazhab ka mamla hai” ("This is a matter of religious law"), even as Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather urged legislators to restore order and take their seats.