Facing criticism from the Opposition over the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly not passing a resolution against the Waqf Act, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said legislators made an “error” in bringing an adjournment motion to discuss the issue, and had it been brought through some other provision, “it could then have been admitted”.
His remarks came days after a ruckus in the Assembly as members of the ruling National Conference sought a discussion on the Waqf Bill in the J&K House through an adjournment motion. The move was rejected by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who is also from the NC, prompting the Opposition to accuse the party of doing “drama”.
“The Speaker made this clear on the last day of business in the Assembly. The error on the part of members at the time probably was that they brought an adjournment motion. This can only be brought with regard to the business of the J&K government because the government has to respond to it,” Abdullah said.
“If the adjournment motion had been allowed, what would the government say? We did not bring the Waqf Bill. It was introduced and passed by the central government in Parliament. So what response would the J&K government provide for it? Had this resolution been brought in another form or through a different provision of law, then it could have been admitted. Now we have taken this to the court. Several parties, including the National Conference, have filed petitions before the Supreme Court. Let’s see what happens,” he said.
Abdullah also underscored that the “appropriate time” for restoring statehood to J&K is now. “It has been six months since the J&K assembly elections. The Home Minister visited J&K a few days back; I had a separate meeting with him, and it was a good meeting. I am still hopeful that J&K’s statehood will be restored soon,” he said.
Opposition anger
Following Abdullah’s comments, People’s Conference chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone criticised the ruling party, saying, “I don’t believe that the oldest party of J&K with the most experienced MLAs did not know what they were doing.”
Accusing the CM of being “complicit in this crime against the Muslims of India,” he emphasised that a resolution by the J&K Assembly “mattered most”. Urging the Speaker to call a one-day session, Lone stated, “It had to be a government resolution and had to be moved by the cabinet member with the consent of the leader of the house. Government resolutions do not need a notice period nor are they subject to balloting procedures.”
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The PDP has also criticised the NC. On Tuesday, party leader Iltija Mufti accused the NC of “letting down Muslims”. Stating that West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments took a stand against the Waqf Act, she said, “It is unfortunate, J&K is the only Muslim majority state in the country and the chief minister has a responsibility not just towards the Muslims of J&K but Indian Muslims also look at you (Omar), and you have terribly let them down.”
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