SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Waqf law rocked J&K assembly for the second day Tuesday as opposition PDP and Sajad Lone’s People’s Conference brought a no-confidence motion against Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for not allowing a debate on the act. Rather’s own party, the governing NC, urged him to show flexibility and permit the discussion.
BJP, however, supported the Speaker for his decision on Monday disallowing discussions on the law. Rather insisted the law had been challenged in Supreme Court and assembly rules prohibited discussions on a sub-judice case. The row had flared after opposition members targeted CM Omar Abdullah for taking a walk in Srinagar’s Tulip Garden with Union minister Kiran Rijiju, who had piloted the Waqf bill in Parliament.
On Tuesday, PDP legislator Waheed Parra displayed a resolution on Waqaf law, asking the Speaker to allow the debate. Lone and other legislators joined in. When Parra persisted, he was marshalled out on Rather’s orders, stoking the tensions.
Earlier in the House, NC members had asked the Speaker to understand the sense of the House and allow the discussion. NC legislator and chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said 25 members of his party had sought a debate and urged the Speaker to allow it. Rather was unmoved, leading to adjournment of the House. “There is no rule that bars discussion (in the assembly) on any law passed by Parliament,” Parra said outside. Speaking later in the day about his decision and the members’ protests, Rather said: “If the House has no confidence, then I have no right to be there.”
Earlier, when the House had reassembled in the afternoon, Lone moved a formal no-confidence seeking the Speaker’s removal. The motion was signed by three PDP legislators, including Parra. Lone cited outrage over Rather’s actions. “Such conduct undermines democratic principles governing this esteemed institution (assembly). J&K is the only Muslim province in India. History will hold us in contempt if we do not send a strong message against this bill,” Lone said. He called the Speaker an impediment in voicing “our opinion against the law”.
Lone went to the extent of asking Rather to retire to his chamber and hand charge to deputy Speaker Mubarak Gul for the Waqf discussion. This angered NC, which refused to support the motion against Rather. “He is the senior-most leader of the party (NC) and has presented over a dozen budgets as (J&K) finance minister. We are only asking him that the rules cannot override the mandate and sentiments of people. We hope he shows some flexibility,” NC’s Salman Sagar said.
Rather cited rules and stuck to his stand. “If it is not the concern of this govt, the motion (for a Waqf) discussion cannot be taken up,” Rather said. BJP members thumped tables in his support. Amid the uproar, deputy CM Surinder Choudhary pleaded with the Speaker to understand the sentiments. “We have been elected by the people. If it is the concern of the members, it is the concern of the govt, too,” NC’s Choudhary said.
Eventually, the house was adjourned for the day without any business, with Rather in focus rather than the Waqf la
