SRINAGAR: Political and religious figures on Sunday criticised the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker for not permitting a discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. They described the move as a denial of the people’s mandate and an alignment with the BJP’s position.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a post on X said: “It is ridiculous and condemnable” that Tamil Nadu—with a Muslim population of 6%—could pass a strong anti-Waqf resolution, while the Muslim-majority J&K Assembly “struggles and refuses, by hiding behind technicalities,” to discuss an issue important to Muslims in the region. The Speaker’s party was given a strong mandate with the expectation it would safeguard public interests, especially following the developments post-August 2019. “Why is he capitulating so meekly?”
It is ridiculous and condemnable that Tamil Nadu which only has 6% Muslim population, passes a strong anti Wakf resolution in it’s assembly,while the Muslim majority J&K assembly speaker is struggling and refusing , by hiding behind technicalities,to discuss this deeply…
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) April 7, 2025
The debate began soon after the House reconvened following a 12-day Eid recess. NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq, supported by Congress and PDP members, called for suspending Question Hour to discuss the Waqf Bill, recently passed by Parliament and now challenged in the Supreme Court.
Speaker Rather, citing Rule 58, rejected the motion, stating that matters under judicial consideration cannot be taken up through adjournment motions. He confirmed receiving motions from at least nine MLAs but said debate on a sub judice matter was not permitted.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, said it was “profoundly disappointing” that the Speaker had rejected the motion on the Waqf Bill.
It’s profoundly disappointing that the speaker J&K Assembly has rejected the motion on the Waqf Bill. Despite securing a strong mandate, the government appears to have completely yielded to the BJP’s anti-Muslim agenda, cynically attempting to appease both sides. The National…
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 7, 2025
She said: “It’s profoundly disappointing that the speaker J&K Assembly has rejected the motion on the Waqf Bill. Despite securing a strong mandate, the government appears to have completely yielded to the BJP’s anti-Muslim agenda, cynically attempting to appease both sides. The National Conference (NC) could learn from Tamil Nadu’s government, which has firmly opposed the Waqf Bill. In J&K, the only Muslim-majority region, it’s alarming that a supposedly people-centric government lacks the courage even to debate this critical issue.”
People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone said: “The least Muslims of India deserved was that in J and K, the only Muslim majority province in India, the CM as a mark of protest stays away from Mr Kiren Rijju, who presented the waqf bill. Instead he tags along Farooq sahib as well. What a shame.”
The least Muslims of India deserved was that in J and K, the only Muslim majority province in India, the CM as a mark of protest stays away from Mr Kiren Rijju, who presented the waqf bill.
Instead he tags along Farooq sahib as well. What a shame pic.twitter.com/Vu0kfpPzj3
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) April 7, 2025
PDP leader Iltija Mufti said on X: “NC MLAs protesting against NC government. ICYMI NC intends to play the role of government & opposition both. Alternate good cop with bad cop. Legitimise illegal abrogation of Article 370 & now also whitewash BJPs overall agenda of enfeebling Muslims nationally through the Waqf bill.”
NC MLAs protesting against NC government. ICYMI NC intends to play the role of government & opposition both. Alternate good cop with bad cop. Legitimise illegal abrogation of Article 370 & now also whitewash BJPs overall agenda of enfeebling Muslims nationally through the Waqf… https://t.co/fyzu4qrwMR
— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) April 7, 2025
