Chaos Erupts in J&K Assembly Over Waqf Amendment Bill; Sajad Lone Calls for Open Discussion
Srinagar, April 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed ruckus on Monday after opposition parties protested the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the rejection of their adjournment motions. Amid the uproar, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC) President Sajad Lone called for open debate on the bill, asserting that discussions in the House should not be stifled.
“Discussions should be allowed. To the best of my knowledge, the matter is not sub judice as no petition has been admitted in the Supreme Court yet. So, why should a discussion be not allowed?” Lone told ANI.
Taking to X, Lone also took a dig at J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for accompanying Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who had tabled the bill in Parliament.
“The least Muslims of India deserved was that in J&K, the only Muslim majority province in India, the CM as a mark of protest stays away from Mr. Kiren Rijiju, who presented the Waqf Bill. Instead, he tags along Farooq Sahib as well. What a shame,” Lone posted.
The commotion began when Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather dismissed adjournment motions filed by National Conference (NC) MLAs seeking a discussion on the bill. The Speaker maintained that the matter could not be taken up under an adjournment motion as it was sub judice.
“As per rules, no matter that is sub judice can be raised through an adjournment motion. Since this issue is currently before the Supreme Court and I have a copy of the petition, it cannot be discussed under this provision,” Speaker Rather said.
The situation escalated when NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq moved the motion and NC legislators stormed the well of the House, raising slogans: “Ban karo, ban karo, Waqf bill ko ban karo” (Ban the Waqf Bill). Marshalls intervened to stop the protest.
Interestingly, the PDP—despite not being in alliance with NC—joined the protest, accusing the National Conference of playing a “fixed match” while publicly opposing the bill.
The controversy comes days after President Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill on April 4 with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared it earlier with 288 votes in support and 232 opposed.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to enhance the governance of waqf properties, streamline surveys, registration, and dispute resolution, and empower stakeholders for more effective management.
