In a recent statement, Congress leader and Jammu and Kashmir Assembly MLA, Nizamuddin Bhat, addressed the ongoing political tensions regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The act has sparked a demand for a detailed discussion from opposition parties in the assembly.

Opposition Demands Debate on Waqf Amendment Act

Bhat noted that the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was engaged in a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in Srinagar reviewing the security situation in the region. The Congress MLA pointed out that this was the reason the CM was unable to engage in discussions with his National Conference (NC) alliance partners on the Waqf Act issue. Bhat expressed confidence that CM Abdullah would likely attend the assembly session on Wednesday to discuss the proceedings with Congress and other stakeholders.

Security Review Meeting Chaired by Amit Shah

Earlier on the same day, Amit Shah chaired a crucial security review meeting in Srinagar. During this meeting, Shah highlighted that three separatist groups had severed their ties with the Hurriyat Conference, signaling growing trust in India’s Constitution under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Chaos in the J-K Assembly Over Waqf Act Discussion

The demand for a discussion on the Waqf Amendments has led to considerable chaos in the assembly over the last two days. Opposition MLAs, as well as NC members, have repeatedly pushed for a debate on the matter. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather denied their requests to discuss the Act, citing procedural rules.

Tensions escalated further when PDP MLA Waheed Para and his colleagues staged a protest in the Well of the House, presenting papers related to their resolution. The protest led to their forceful removal by the marshals. This prompted a verbal altercation between NC leaders and J&K People’s Conference (JKPC) President Sajad Lone.

Sajad Lone Criticizes National Conference’s Approach

In response to the ongoing disruption, Sajad Lone criticized the NC-led government for its failure to secure a discussion on the Waqf Bill. Lone accused the National Conference of performing a “theatrical” act by demanding a debate while simultaneously blocking the process. He further suggested that if the NC were serious about the issue, it should move for a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, whom they had appointed, to facilitate the discussion.

Conclusion

The issue of the Waqf Amendment Act has stirred significant political debate in Jammu and Kashmir. As the assembly session continues, all eyes will be on how the National Conference and its alliance partners address the issue of governance and parliamentary procedure in the coming days.