Uproar in J&K Assembly Over Waqf Law: NC, Congress Demand Rollback, Call It ‘Betrayal of Mandate’

Srinagar: The Waqf Law J&K Assembly protest became the focal point of political debate on Monday as the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly was thrown into turmoil. Legislators from the National Conference (NC), Congress, and independent parties protested loudly, demanding the repeal of the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The Budget session was disrupted and adjourned briefly.
NC leaders Nazir Gurezi and Tanvir Sadiq led the charge by submitting an adjournment motion during Question Hour. Wearing black armbands, opposition MLAs shouted slogans and accused the Speaker of curbing their right to raise issues concerning the Muslim-majority population of J&K.
Speaking to the press, NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq said the issue deserved urgent attention.
 “It is our democratic right to raise this issue. Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim-majority region, and we must speak for the people. We submitted the motion with signatures from 10–11 legislators and proposed a formal resolution,” he stated.
The Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, denied the motion on grounds that the matter is sub judice. The session was adjourned for 15 minutes due to escalating protests but resumed with continued opposition unrest.
Speaker Cites Sub Judice; Opposition Disagrees
Opposition parties pointed to past debates on Article 370 and the CAA, both discussed in the Assembly while under judicial review. They called the Speaker’s justification inconsistent and politically motivated.
A senior Congress MLA said, “This is selective silence. If Tamil Nadu can debate and oppose the Waqf law, why can’t J&K?”
PDP Criticizes Both Government and NC
PDP’s Waheed Parra launched a scathing attack, accusing both the National Conference and the J&K administration of passivity.
 “This is a betrayal of the people’s mandate,” he said. “As a Muslim-majority region, J&K should have taken the lead in opposing this bill. The Speaker’s excuse is a political shield.”
He emphasized that the reluctance to challenge the law reflected growing anger within the community.
National Backlash and Legal Challenges
The Waqf (Amendment) Act has already drawn national criticism. Congress MPs and AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi have challenged the law in the Supreme Court. Critics argue that the law centralizes control over religious properties and undermines the autonomy of Waqf boards, particularly in sensitive regions like Jammu & Kashmir.
As opposition unity strengthens inside the Assembly, the Waqf law continues to escalate into a broader battle over religious rights, regional identity, and democratic dissent.