High drama in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as the ruling National Conference as well as some opposition MLAs staged a protest, and sparred with BJP lawmakers, after their adjournment motion on the Waqf Amendment Act was rejected.
Speaker Cites SC Proceedings
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather cited procedural rules, refusing to take up the motion. He said, “I have seen the rules and as per Rule 56 and Rule 58 sub-rule 7 it says that no matter which is sub-judice can be brought up for adjournment. Since this issue is in the Supreme Court and I have got a copy of it, the rule clearly says that we cannot discuss through an adjournment motion.”
Please Challenging Waqf Amendments
Meanwhile, petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who is representing Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani in the matter, and lawyer Nizam Pasha sought an urgent hearing on the matter.A bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna took note of the submissions and said several other petitions have already been filed. "I will see the mentioning letter in the afternoon and take a call. We will list it," the CJI said.Several petitions, including one by Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, have been filed in the apex court challenging the validity of the Act. In its petition, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has said that this law was a "direct attack on the country's Constitution, which not only provides equal rights to its citizens but also grants them complete religious freedom".
The Waqf Amendment Act
President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was earlier passed by Parliament after heated debates in both Houses. The Act aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties (assets permanently donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes) with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare. It also seeks to improve governance by enhancing transparency in property management, streamlining coordination between Waqf boards and local authorities and protecting stakeholders’ rights.
