The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was encircled by chaos as the adjournment motion to deliberate on the newly passed Waqf act was turned down by the Speaker. Moved by the ruling part National Conference (NC) legislators, the MLAs chanted “Modi Sarkar hai, hai” storming into the well of the house.
Citing the sub-judice rule, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rahter under Rules 56 and 58(7) said that matter cannot be brough up for adjournment. This decision from the speaker was met with massive protests among the NC legislators. NC MLAs Hilal Lone and Salman Sagar tore copies of the Waqf Act as the situation became worse after MLA Larmi tore his clothes.
Revealing the reason why, NC MLA recalled his stand saying, “The Modi government must withdraw Waqf law just like farm laws were rolled back. We won’t allow proceedings of the assembly to take place till this law is withdrawn. Our religious sentiments have been hurt” as India Today reports.
The speaker’s actions were also criticised by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti tending the decision as “profoundly disappointing”. The leader said that despite securing a strong mandate, the government appeared to be trying to appease both sides, neglecting the needs of the Muslim-majority region.
It’s profoundly disappointing that the speaker J&K Assembly has rejected the motion on the Waqf Bill. Despite securing a strong mandate, the government appears to have completely yielded to the BJP’s anti-Muslim agenda, cynically attempting to appease both sides. The National…
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 7, 2025
However, another PDP leader,Waheed Para launched accusations on the NC government of facilitation BJP policies. Commenting on the subjective nature of this matter, Waheed Para noted that the Waqf Act is deeply rooted in religious beliefs of several individuals and property cannot be governed by faith.
As a response to the ruckus that broke out, JKNC chief Sajad Lone emphasised that, “Discussion should be allowd. To the best of my knowledge, the matter is not sub-judice as no petition has been admitted in the Supreme Court yet. So, why should a discussion be not allowed?”
As chaos broke out in the J&K assembly, MLAs tore down copies of the law. The protest ended in a violent display of dissent after Speaker Rahim rejected the motion to adjourn on sub-judice grounds sparking nationwide responses on the Waqf Act 2025.