In Jammu and Kashmir, PDP MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para was marshalled out of the Legislative Assembly today after he pressed for a fresh resolution against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that the Assembly witnessed pandemonium for the second straight day on the issue, prompting Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to initially adjourn the House for 30 minutes shortly after the start of the day’s business and later extend it until 1 PM.

On Monday, when the House assembled after a 12-day recess, it descended into chaos with religious and jingoistic sloganeering after the Speaker rejected an adjournment motion, moved by the ruling National Conference members, to discuss the Waqf (Amendment) Act, saying the matter was sub judice. When the House assembled again this morning, Para moved close to the well, holding a copy of his resolution against the Waqf Act and started arguing with the Speaker, seeking its adoption to convey a message to the central government.

But the pandemonium continued even after this, with several NC legislators and independent MLAs moving to the well and continuing their protest, seeking discussion on the Waqf Amendment Law. MLA Parra said that he has moved a fresh resolution against the Waqf Amendment Act, but the Speaker neither accepted nor rejected it. He accused the NC of enacting a “drama” at the behest of the BJP as part of efforts to normalise the act. He also questioned the absence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from the House for the second day and said he (CM) should have been here because this issue concerns Muslim properties like mosques, shrines and graveyards. The Speaker repeatedly defended his action of rejecting the adjournment motion to discuss the Waqf Amendment Law in the House. He said that you cannot undo what Parliament has already done.