Jammu and Kashmir's Muslim-majority Province Remains Silent on Waqf Bill: Sajad Lone
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Synopsis
On April 7, Sajad Lone, chairman of the Peoples Conference, criticized Jammu and Kashmir's National Conference for not opposing the Waqf Bill and allowing statehood bills to lapse, questioning their commitment to Muslim interests.
Key Takeaways
- Sajad Lone criticizes NC for not opposing the Waqf Bill.
- NC allowed three statehood bills to lapse.
- Contradictory actions of NC leadership questioned.
- Importance of legislative means to express disapproval highlighted.
- Concerns about NC’s commitment to statehood restoration raised.
Srinagar, April 7 (NationPress) The chairman of the Peoples Conference (PC) and MLA from Handwara, Sajad Lone, criticized the National Conference (NC) government of Jammu and Kashmir for its failure to condemn the Waqf Bill.
“The only Muslim-majority province in India has not collectively condemned the Waqf Bill and instead allowed three vital bills concerning statehood to lapse. The actions of the NC leadership appear contradictory. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah were seen taking a morning stroll with Union Minister Kiran Rijiju, who introduced the Bill in Parliament. I struggle to comprehend this judge, jury, and executioner role of the NC,” stated the MLA from Handwara.
Lone further questioned how the NC could protest against the Bill while maintaining social ties with its advocates.
In what he termed a significant affront to Muslims nationwide, Lone expressed concern that the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, the only Muslim-majority province in India, is associated with the Union Minister who presented this controversial Bill.
He raised serious doubts about the NC's commitment to opposing the contentious Waqf Bill while also pursuing the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
Lone scrutinized what he called the NC's contradictory stance, questioning the genuineness of their opposition to the Waqf Bill and pointing out procedural inconsistencies in their claims.
“If the NC’s performance in the Assembly is not mere theatrics, why hasn’t the NC initiated a no-confidence motion against its own Speaker for blocking their adjournment motion?” Lone inquired, emphasizing that the Speaker who rejected the NC’s motion is from their own party.
On procedural matters, Lone clarified, “An adjournment motion serves as a censure motion against the government. It is intended to address the government’s failures. You cannot use an adjournment motion regarding the Waqf Bill.”
He expanded on the correct legislative methods, stating, “The only legislative tool to express disapproval of this legislation was a resolution. It was our sole means to collectively express opposition to this law.”
He noted that the most troubling issue was the revelation that three resolutions advocating for the restoration of statehood lapsed on Monday.
He drew a parallel to an incident in 2013 when a resolution concerning Afzal Guru lapsed after the NC Speaker abruptly adjourned the House amidst chaos created by the Congress, then an ally of the NC-led government.
“Was this performance regarding the Waqf Bill, or merely a tactic to obstruct and delay statehood resolutions?” he probed.
