High Drama in Jammu & Kashmir Assembly as Opposition Protests Against Waqf Amendment Act
jj correspondent
Jammu, Apr 07: A tense and chaotic scene unfolded outside and inside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday as opposition leaders, along with members of various coalition parties, staged a passionate protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill-2025. The protests erupted after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House amidst a storm of objections and calls for a debate on the highly controversial legislation.
Whereas, assembly witnessed repeated disruptions throughout the day as the Speaker rejected an adjournment motion proposed by the ruling NC-led alliance members, seeking a debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill-2025. The rejection of the motion, which called for immediate discussion on the controversial bill, set off a series of protests from opposition legislators and led to the adjournment of the House twice before the Speaker finally called for an end to the day’s proceedings.
The protest, which took on a dramatic and communal tone, began when members from the treasury benches National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Congress, and other independent lawmakers, gathered outside the Assembly building to express their dissatisfaction over the Speaker’s refusal to allow an adjournment motion regarding the Waqf Bill. Inside the Assembly, a significant shift occurred when members of the ruling coalition took to staging a sit-in, an unprecedented move in the ongoing budget session, as a gesture of their dissent.
The protest escalated when ruling party MLAs intruded into opposition benches and raised religious slogans such as “Nare-e-Takdeer, Allah Hu Akbar,” which were quickly countered by opposition legislators chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram.” This clash of slogans created a deeply charged atmosphere inside the Assembly, further heightening the already intense political tensions.
Speaking to reporters, NC legislator Altaf Kaloo accused BJP members of engaging in “manhandling” and raising the slogans within the Assembly, claiming that this was an attempt to derail the democratic process. Kaloo expressed dismay over the Speaker’s decision to reject the adjournment motion, which called for a thorough discussion on the Waqf Bill. He argued, “This is not a wrestling ring; we came here to raise constitutional concerns.” Kaloo also drew comparisons with other states, particularly Tamil Nadu, where a similar issue had been discussed, despite the Muslim population there being just 6%. “Why can’t we discuss this issue in our own Muslim-majority region?” he questioned.
The Speaker, however, maintained that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is currently sub judice, meaning it is under judicial scrutiny in the Supreme Court, and as such, cannot be debated in the Assembly.
The protests inside the Assembly intensified when CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami joined the communal-tagged demonstration, urging unity against what he described as the BJP’s “divisive politics.” He warned, “The people of Jammu must see through the communal narrative being pushed by the ruling party. We must remain united.” In the midst of the commotion, Congress MLA Irfan Hafeez Lone raised a banner reading “Waqf Amendment Bill is not acceptable to us” and staged a sit-in on the Assembly’s staircase. Earlier, Lone had accused the BJP of being “anti-Gandhi” and supporting Nathuram Godse, which caused an uproar among BJP members, leading to physical altercations between Lone and fellow Congress MLA Iftikhar Ahmed. The situation was diffused only after swift intervention from the security staff.
The growing tension in the House prompted Leader of the Opposition, Sunil Sharma, to lash out, accusing the ruling NC of politicizing religion to gain political mileage. Sharma also criticized the Speaker for alleged partiality, pointing out that NC MPs had remained silent in Parliament on similar issues but were now actively protesting the same law within the state Assembly.
The unrest outside the Assembly mirrored the chaos inside, with Muslim members sitting in dharna at the main gate, accusing the BJP-led government of pursuing a divisive agenda that undermines democratic discourse.
As the session began, legislators from the ruling coalition demanded that the adjournment motion be allowed for discussing the Waqf Bill, a law they argue affects the Muslim-majority region of Jammu & Kashmir deeply. NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq stressed, “This is a matter of faith and religion, and there is no issue more urgent than this. Will you adjourn the House to address this critical concern?” He questioned why similar laws were discussed in other states, particularly regarding farm laws and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), yet the Waqf Bill remained untouched.
However, BJP MLAs immediately rose in opposition to the motion, which caused the Speaker to intervene, explaining that the bill is under judicial review by the Supreme Court. Referring to the procedures and conduct rules, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather stated that discussions could not take place on matters under judicial scrutiny, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill-2025.
The Speaker’s ruling was met with vehement protests from the Kashmir based parties, with legislators shouting slogans such as “Waqf Bill Na Manzoor” (Waqf Bill is unacceptable) and “Kalaa Kanoon Na Manzoor” (Draconian law is unacceptable). Amidst the uproar, opposition members attempted to storm the well of the Assembly, but they were held back by the Marshals.
The chaotic situation prompted the Speaker to adjourn the House temporarily for 15 minutes, marking the first adjournment of the ongoing budget session. When the Assembly reconvened, opposition MLAs from NC, Congress, and PDP rushed to the well, continuing their protests. Some legislators tore question papers and threw them into the air as a symbolic protest against the bill, while others engaged in further verbal confrontations.
Despite repeated adjournments, the protests continued unabated, with lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition benches raising slogans. At one point, Congress MLA Irfan Hafeez Lone, holding anti-Waqf Bill posters, was confronted by BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa. Before a physical altercation could erupt, Marshals intervened, preventing further escalation. Ultimately, the Speaker called for a final adjournment, ending the day’s proceedings amidst growing political tensions.
This disruption in the Assembly highlights the deep divisions within Jammu and Kashmir’s newly-formed legislature. As the members of ruling elites continues to demand a debate on the Waqf Bill, the political future of the controversial legislation remains uncertain, with both sides refusing to back down. The ongoing protests underscore the increasing polarization and the challenges the region faces in balancing religious, political, and legal considerations in its legislative process.
