Opposition MLAs move no-confidence motion against J&K Assembly Speaker
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Jammu: Three opposition legislators, led by People's Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone, moved a no-confidence motion against Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Tuesday, accusing him of obstructing debate over the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Lone alleged that the Speaker had become an "impediment" to the opposition's ability to express their views in the House. The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was thrown into uproar for the second consecutive day over the issue, forcing the Speaker to adjourn proceedings briefly for 30 minutes shortly after the day’s session began. The House was later adjourned until 1 PM.
Tensions had already flared on Monday when the Assembly reconvened after a 12-day recess. The session quickly descended into chaos with religious and jingoistic sloganeering after the Speaker refused to accept an adjournment motion brought by ruling National Conference (NC) legislators to debate the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Citing that the matter was sub judice, the Speaker rejected the motion, triggering strong protests from lawmakers.
In a letter addressed to the Assembly secretary, Lone, the MLA from Handwara, stated: “In accordance with Rule 215(A) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, we hereby submit this notice of our intention to move a resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Assembly.”
He added that the motion was necessitated by the Speaker’s refusal to entertain discussion on key opposition motions, including the rejected adjournment motion and a resolution on the Waqf issue, calling the Speaker’s actions a serious breach of democratic process.
The no-confidence motion was co-signed by PDP legislators Fayaz Ahmad Mir from Kupwara and Rafiq Ahmad Naik from Tral.
Lone also made the letter public via a post on social media platform X, stating: “We have presented a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. He has become an impediment in voicing our opinion against the Waqf bill.”
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Lone appealed to protesting NC members to support the motion. “We appeal to NC members to support the motion. If they don't, they will be exposed. How can it be that a National Conference legislator, who is the Speaker, disallows the adjournment motion, while other NC members protest? The whole world is watching this drama,” he said.
Lone clarified that the opposition was not demanding an immediate change in the law but stressed the importance of allowing their protest to be officially recorded. “We are not saying we are going to change the law, but at least we can register our protest on behalf of the only Muslim-majority region of the country,” he stated.
With PTI inputs