Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 7 (ANI): Following the chaos in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly over the Waqf Amendment Act, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Shagun Parihar on Monday said that the Waqf Amendment Act is not related to J-K Assembly so there is no need to discuss this issue.

'This Bill has been passed (in Parliament), and since it is not an issue related to the J&K Assembly, there is no need to discuss it. So, why are they (National Conference & Congress MLAs) showing black flags, staging walkout and tearing papers?...We are here to discuss the issues related to Jammu & Kashmir. Union Home Minister wants to work to boost J&K's economy, encourage tourism, bring industries, open new hotels and generate employment here, but look at the non-serious attitude of the Chief Minister, who doesn't want to speak on these issues,' Parihar told ANI.

'Earlier, too, the National Conference and Congress misled J&K, and they are doing the same today as well...CM Omar Abdullah must have never donated towards Waqf. So why are their MLAs making a ruckus?' she added.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly descended into chaos after members of the National Conference and its allies protested against the enactment of the Waqf Amendment Bill. They also protested Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather's decision to reject their adjournment motion on the Waqf Amendment Act.

As the session began, opposition MLAs rose to demand a discussion on the recent amendments made to the Waqf Act, voicing concerns over its implications. However, Speaker Rather maintained that the matter could not be taken up under an adjournment motion since it was currently sub judice.

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said, 'As per rules, no matter what sub-judice is, it 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.'NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq moved the adjournment motion. Soon after, NC MLAs began approaching the well but were stopped by Marshalls. NC MLAs then raised slogans, 'Ban karo ban karo Waqf bill ko ban karo.'The PDP, which is not in alliance with the NC, also joined the protests and accused the National Conference of indulging in a fixed match.

On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which Parliament passed during the budget session.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on April 4 with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared the bill after a lengthy debate, with 288 members voting in favour and 232 opposing it.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to focus on improving the management of waqf properties, empowering relevant stakeholders to this, improving the efficiency of survey, registration, and case disposal processes, and developing waqf properties. (ANI)