Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly descended into uproar on Monday after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather rejected an adjournment motion by the ruling National Conference (NC) legislators seeking to urgently discuss the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
As soon as the motion was turned down, NC MLAs erupted in protest, chanting “Modi Sarkar hai, hai” and storming into the well of the House, prompting a 15-minute adjournment of the session.
Citing procedural rules, Speaker Rather said the Assembly could not take up a matter that was sub-judice. “No matter which is sub-judice can be brought up for adjournment. Since this issue is in the Supreme Court and I have got a copy of it, the rule clearly says that we cannot discuss it through an adjournment motion,” he said, referencing Rules 56 and 58(7) of the House.
The ruling party’s insistence on discussing the newly enacted Waqf law led to a political clash in the House, with Opposition Leader Sunil Sharma terming the move “highly unconstitutional.”
“Parliament has passed the bill, the President has given assent, and it is now law,” Sharma said. Backing the Speaker’s stance, he added, “When the matter is with the judiciary, this Assembly has no authority to debate or discuss it. Doing so would amount to violating constitutional norms.”
