National Conference in Difficulty as J&K Assembly Speaker Blocks Discussion on Waqf (Amendment) Act

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National Conference in Difficulty as J&K Assembly Speaker Blocks Discussion on Waqf (Amendment) Act

Synopsis

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, has denied discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, putting the ruling National Conference in a precarious situation. Political allies call for reconsideration as the Assembly faces adjournment.

Key Takeaways

  • Speaker blocks Waqf Amendment discussion.
  • NC faces political challenges.
  • Allies demand reconsideration.
  • Assembly adjournment on the horizon.
  • Potential no-confidence motion against Speaker.

Jammu, April 9 (NationPress) The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, has made it clear that he will not permit a discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the Assembly, placing the ruling National Conference (NC) in a challenging position. A meeting with the NC's allies held on Tuesday regarding this matter ended without any resolution and is set to be revisited on Wednesday when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is present.

Members from the NC, Congress, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with the lone representatives of the Peoples Conference (PC), CPI-M, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) have all called for a discussion in the Assembly concerning the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

Due to the uproar following the Speaker's announcement to bar discussions, no proceedings took place in the House on Tuesday.

Currently, there are three resolutions advocating for statehood and two Private Bills awaiting debate, while the Assembly is scheduled to be adjourned sine die today as per its calendar.

Sajad Gani Lone of the PC has urged the NC to initiate a no-confidence motion against the Speaker if they genuinely wish to address the matter of the Waqf Amendment Act within the Assembly.

The opposition BJP, under the leadership of Sunil Sharma, has opposed the request for a discussion on the Act.

If the NC chooses to support the Speaker’s ruling, it risks providing leverage to its adversaries in the regional political landscape of the Kashmir Valley.

The reluctance of the only Muslim-majority region in the country to even consider discussing the Act is unlikely to resonate well with the local populace and political entities.

“This creates a complex situation, making it evident that the NC is evading the discussion while taking refuge behind the Speaker’s ruling,” commented Waheed Para from the PDP.

Until the Centre actively launches an awareness initiative to assure Muslims that the amended Act safeguards the rights of ordinary Muslims by addressing discrepancies and monopolies concerning Waqf properties, the specter of the Waqf (Amendment) Act will continuously trouble the NC in J&K.

Regardless of whether they persuade the Speaker to alter his ruling or opt to present a no-confidence motion against him, the NC is bound to encounter embarrassment.

To be, or not to be? The dilemma akin to Hamlet’s looms over the NC in J&K.