Speaker Says Assembly Cannot Override Parliament
BJP Accuses NC of ‘Murdering Democracy’
Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu,(DD): The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly descended into chaos today as heated arguments and an eventual scuffle broke out between members over the controversial Waqf Bill, forcing Speaker Abdur Rahim Rather to adjourn the session.
The uproar began during the discussion on the Waqf Bill, which has sparked widespread concern among opposition parties over alleged attempts by the government to centralize control of Waqf properties and dilute the autonomy of local religious bodies. The situation turned volatile when Waheed ur Rehman Parra of the PDP and Sajad Gani Lone, leader of the People’s Conference, entered into a verbal duel with legislators from the National Conference (NC).
The clash escalated when NC MLAs accused the government of pushing the Bill without adequate consultation, calling it a “direct attack” on the religious and cultural fabric of the region. Parra and Lone hit back, accusing the NC of double standards and hypocrisy. “The National Conference itself has a long history of compromising institutions for power. Their outrage now is nothing but political posturing,” Lone reportedly said during the ruckus.
As tempers flared, Speaker Abdur Rahim Rather repeatedly urged calm and reminded the House that the Assembly is bound by the constitutional structure. “The Waqf provisions are based on legislation passed by the Parliament of India. This House cannot undo what Parliament has already enacted,” he asserted.
Despite the Speaker’s appeals, the shouting matches continued, with members gesturing and accusing each other across the aisle. Eventually, Speaker Rather was compelled to adjourn the House, citing a breakdown in decorum.
Outside the Assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on the National Conference. “Today, the NC murdered democracy on the floor of the House. They are not opposing the Bill—they are opposing progress and transparency in Waqf administration,” a senior BJP leader said while addressing the media.
The Waqf Bill has become a flashpoint in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, with several parties alleging that the move is aimed at bringing Waqf Boards under tighter government control. The government, however, maintains that the Bill is intended to ensure greater accountability, transparency, and protection of religious assets.
As the controversy deepens, it remains to be seen whether a consensus can be reached when the Assembly reconvenes or if the Bill will continue to ignite further political fault lines in the Union Territory(DD)