- विज्ञापन -
Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed chaos on Monday as MLAs from the National Conference (NC), Congress, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and some Independent members protested against the Waqf Amendment Act that was passed by Parliament. This unrest led the Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, to adjourn the House for 15 minutes.
The Speaker declined to suspend the question hour for discussions on the Waqf Amendment Act, as demanded by the protesting MLAs. This marked the first adjournment during the ongoing 40-day budget session, which resumed on Monday following a recess.
As the session began, NC MLAs led by Nazir Gurezi and Tanvir Sadiq moved a motion to adjourn the question hour to debate the Waqf legislation. A notice had been submitted by nine members from the NC, Congress, and a few independents to facilitate this discussion. However, the BJP, led by Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma, opposed the motion, resulting in a two-minute shouting match among the members.
Quoting Rule 58 of the House, the Speaker stated that he could not allow the adjournment notice since the matter is currently in court. “I cannot allow adjournment in the House as the matter is sub judice,” he declared.
This refusal prompted protests from NC, Congress, and PDP members, who insisted on the adjournment and approached the well of the House. Amid the ongoing disruption, the Speaker decided to adjourn the House for 15 minutes.
Additionally, three MLAs have submitted notices for private bills requesting the Assembly to pass a resolution for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The Speaker has yet to rule on these private bills.
In the first session following the establishment of an elected government, the Assembly passed a resolution advocating for the restoration of statehood, which was presented to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister by the Chief Minister during his inaugural visit. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, currently on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, assured BJP MLAs on Sunday that there is clarity regarding the restoration of statehood, which will occur at an appropriate time.
