Waqf Bill row, house disrupted: Lawmakers slam 'religious overreach'

Srinagar, April 7 : The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed heated scenes on Monday as legislators from the National Conference, Congress, PDP, PC and Independents fiercely opposed the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, accusing the BJP of targeting Muslim religious institutions and undermining the secular foundations of the Indian Constitution.

The debate reflected growing concerns within Kashmir’s political landscape over what many view as an attempt to weaken the autonomy of Muslim-majority institutions through legislative overreach.

The bill, which seeks to alter the governance of Waqf properties—including provisions that may allow non-Muslim members on the Waqf Board and increased government control—has sparked outrage in Jammu and Kashmir- India’s only Muslim-majority region.

PDP leader and MLA Pulwama, Waheed Parra condemned the bill and expressed disappointment with the Chief Minister of state who, according to him, instead of rallying behind a resolution as done in other states, were seen attending Union minister of parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju at the tulip garden.

“Tamil Nadu and Karnataka passed resolutions against it. We had hoped J&K would do the same. But unfortunately, Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah were busy receiving Kiran Rijiju at the Tulip Garden,” Parra remarked. The symbolic absence of top leadership during such a critical legislative moment was sharply criticized across party lines.

Leaders argued in the assembly that such changes go against the spirit of religious freedom and disproportionately target Muslim institutions, while similar scrutiny is absent for Hindu religious bodies. Several other states including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have already passed resolutions against such provisions, prompting legislators in Kashmir to demand a similar resolution in their own Assembly.

Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone while speaking to the reporters questioned the very foundation of the bill, calling it a direct challenge to India's constitutional values. “We want to ask them why they are attacking the Constitution. The secularism and federalism of this country are in question. We will talk about this aloud,” he said, warning that the bill goes beyond administrative reform and strikes at the heart of democratic and religious principles.

MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq of the National Conference demanded the allowance of a debate through an adjournment motion under Rule 46, stating, “This is against Muslims. You cannot take over the Waqf Board. If the Waqf Board will include non-Muslims, then what about Tirupati and other temples where non-Hindus members are not allowed? Reforms, if truly needed, should apply to all religious communities equally, not selectively target Muslims.”

Adding to the rising discontent, Sajad Lone of the People's Conference pointed out that the bill is not yet sub-judice, and therefore, open discussion in the Assembly should be permitted. “We still have the state resolution to pass and the 370 resolution. There is room for debate,” he said.

The emphasis from several legislators remained on how this bill specifically affects the religious sentiments of millions of Muslims. National Conference Youth President Salman Sagar stressed that the issue is about community representation and the protection of identity, stating, “This is about the sentiments of 60–70 lakh Muslims. Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim-majority region, and the government should hear our pleas and is answerable to us.”

Beyond the specifics of the bill, a broader warning was echoed by several speakers who cautioned that today's targeting of Muslim institutions could pave the way for similar actions against other minorities in the future. “This is an attack on religion. Today it’s Muslims—tomorrow Sikhs and Christians may face the same. This majoritarian Hindu politics won’t sustain. Whether the bill passes or not, we will speak against it,” asserted Salman Sagar, underlining the long-term implications of this legislation on India’s social fabric.

In response, BJP leader Sunil Sharma took a dig at the National Conference, accusing them of hypocrisy and being more concerned about power than principles. “The National Conference is not in pain by the amendment of the Waqf Board bill, only by the loss of control. Omar Abdullah is happy receiving Kiran Rijiju at Tulip garden, not bothered about this,” Sharma said, suggesting that the party’s current stance is politically motivated rather than based on genuine concern for religious autonomy.

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather was compelled to adjourn the House twice on Monday due to uproar from members demanding a discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The first adjournment lasted 15 minutes, but as the commotion continued, Rather was forced to suspend proceedings again for 20 minutes.

This marks the first instance of an adjournment in the ongoing budget session, which commenced on March 3. Tensions flared as the House reconvened after a nearly two-week recess. Members of the National Conference, led by Nazir Gurezi and Tanvir Sadiq, pressed for the suspension of the Question Hour to prioritize debate on the Waqf law. A total of nine legislators — from the National Conference, Congress, and several Independents — had submitted a formal request to the Speaker seeking the adjournment motion.