SRINAGAR: The inaugural budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly under the Union Territory framework ended on a stormy note on Wednesday, as Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House sine die amid intense disruption and political clashes.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was notably absent during the final proceedings. He arrived nearly thirty minutes after the session had been adjourned. The session, which commenced on March 3, concluded in an atmosphere charged with discontent and discord.
The final day mirrored the previous three, marked by raucous scenes and political fireworks, with opposition parties โ prominently the Peopleโs Democratic Party (PDP), J&K Peopleโs Conference (JKPC), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) โ accusing the administration and ruling National Conference (NC) of neglecting community concerns.
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Their central grievance: the governmentโs refusal to introduce a resolution revoking the amended Waqf law, which they allege centralizes religious assets and diminishes community control.
As the Assembly reconvened at 1:10 p.m. following an earlier adjournment, Speaker Rather referenced the repeated disruptions over the past three days and reiterated his refusal to accept the adjournment motions related to the Waqf Amendment Act, citing procedural constraints. He invoked sub-rules 7 and 9 of Rule 58 of the Houseโs procedural guidelines, asserting that his decision was grounded in parliamentary norms.
However, his explanation did little to calm tempers. AAP MLA Mehraj Malik attempted to raise a point of order but was denied the floor. Tensions escalated further when NC legislator Mir Saifullah interrupted the Speaker during his summary of the sessionโs proceedings, challenging the interpretation of House rules that led to the rejection of their motion.
BJP members also rose in opposition, adding to the chaos. Despite Ratherโs repeated calls for order, legislators continued to shout over one another. In the middle of the confusion, the Speaker began delivering his formal valedictory address, prompting NC MLAs to protest loudly once again.
With the commotion showing no signs of subsiding, Rather ultimately adjourned the House sine die, bringing a turbulent session to a close.
The unresolved Waqf dispute is now expected to ripple through J&Kโs political landscape, with parties likely to take the battle beyond the legislature.
