New Delhi: A heated uproar erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday, prompting Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to adjourn the house for the day during the Budget session. The commotion stemmed from protests over the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which received presidential assent on April 5 following which it became a law of the country.
National Conference (NC) MLAs, led by Tanvir Sadiq and Nazir Gurezi, submitted an adjournment motion to suspend the question hour and initiate a debate on the controversial legislation. The motion, backed by Congress and several Independent members, was firmly opposed by the BJP, led by Leader of the House Sunil Sharma.
The speaker denied the request, citing Rule 58 and noting that the matter is sub judice as it is currently under court consideration. This denial of request led to the commotion following which the assembly had to be adjourned. The speaker adjourned the assembly twice for shorter durations but when chaos erupted for the third time, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House for the day.
The Speaker’s refusal sparked protests from NC, Congress, and PDP members, who marched toward the well of the House chanting slogans such as “Ban karo, ban karo, Waqf Bill ko ban karo.” Marshalls intervened to prevent the MLAs from reaching the well, but tensions escalated with lawmakers waving black flags in open defiance of the new law.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which passed both Houses of Parliament last week, had 288 votes in favour, while receiving 232 votes against in the Lok Sabha. It has been at the centre of political debate ever since it was passed in the Lok Sabha with NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq even going as far as to label the Act as being against the interests of the region and demanded its immediate repeal.
