Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 Sparks Uproar in J&K Assembly; Proceedings Suspended Twice

Jammu, April 7 The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed intense drama and repeated disruptions on Monday over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, as National Conference (NC) legislators demanded a discussion on the matter. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather was compelled to suspend the proceedings twice after a noisy protest erupted in the House.

NC Demands Debate on Waqf Bill, Speaker Cites Legal Constraint

As the Assembly resumed after a 12-day break, NC legislators stood up, insisting on a discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, recently passed by the Parliament. The NC accused the government of double standards, arguing that if the GST bill passed by the Centre could be debated in the J&K Assembly, so could the Waqf bill, particularly in a Muslim-majority state.

Citing Rule 58(7) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, the Speaker clarified that the bill is currently sub judice as it has been challenged in the Supreme Court, and therefore cannot be debated in the Assembly. Consequently, the adjournment motion moved by NC legislators was rejected.

Chaos in the House, Assembly Suspended Twice

Despite the Speaker’s explanation, NC members stormed the well of the House, raised anti-BJP slogans, tore papers, and waved black badges. In response, the Speaker suspended the session for 15 minutes.

When the Assembly reconvened, protests intensified. NC legislators shouted slogans like “Waqf Bill Na-Manzoor,” “Kala Kanoon Wapas Lo,” and “BJP Hai-Hai”, attempting to reach the Speaker’s podium. They were stopped by marshals. In retaliation, BJP legislators chanted “NC-Congress Hai-Hai” and “Desh Virodhi Agenda Nahi Chalega.”

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather again tried to restore order, asking protesting MLAs to return to their seats. NC MLA Nazir Gurezi asserted, “We only seek a discussion on the Waqf Bill, which we believe is an attack on our faith.” With both treasury and opposition benches engaging in heated arguments, the Speaker suspended the House for an additional 20 minutes — the first such suspension during the ongoing Budget Session.