NEW DELHI: The Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly once again witnessed uproar on Tuesday over the contentious Waqf Amendment Act, which recently got parliamentary approval and Presidential assent. The latest round of protests came after the Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) submitted a fresh resolution opposing the legislation.
Leaders in the assembly demanded discussion over Waqf Amendment Act.
PDP supremo Mehbooba Mufti took to X to voice her concerns, stating, “The Waqf issue transcends matters of faith. It is a direct assault on the rights, beliefs, and dignity of 24 crore Muslims in India. As the only Muslim-majority region, Jammu & Kashmir must rise to the occasion and defend the rights of its people.” She urged the chief minister, the assembly, and the J&K government to show “political resolve” and take the issue seriously.
The assembly had faced similar chaos a day earlier when the National Conference (NC)-led alliance government reiterated its plan to bring a resolution against the already-passed Waqf Amendment Act.
Prominent Valley leaders, including People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone, also weighed in. Lone specified the need for open discussion on the Act and slammed CM Abdullah for meeting Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju shortly after the Bill was passed.
“There was no need to meet him. It sends a very wrong message,” Lone said.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was cleared by the Rajya Sabha early Friday after a 17-hour debate, with 128 votes in favour and 95 against. The Lok Sabha had approved the bill earlier in the week after a 13-hour session.
