Abdullah backs Speaker’s decision on Waqf, slams opposition

Lone criticizes NC Chief’s remarks

Suhail Bhat

SRINAGAR, Apr 14: National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah today backed the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker’s decision to disallow discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill, saying that the matter is already sub judice in the Supreme Court.
Speaking to reporters here, Abdullah said the Act was “unconstitutional” and that his party, along with other like-minded parties, has approached the Supreme Court. “We had appealed for it to be reconsidered and hope we will get justice in the Supreme Court,” he said.
Defending Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, the NC chief said, “The Speaker gave his verdict, and it was right on his part. When the matter is before the Supreme Court, there is no point in discussing it in the Assembly.”
Abdullah also lashed out at the opposition for accusing the ruling party of stalling discussion on the bill. “Has the opposition ever introspected? Who is responsible? Who converted Aquaf into the State Waqf Board? It was the property of the Muslims living here. Article 370 would not have been abrogated had they not shaken hands with the Centre (BJP),” he said.
Abdullah also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the issue of reduced Hajj quotas with Saudi Arabia. “I request the Prime Minister, who has close ties with the Saudi leadership, to take up this matter. It concerns thousands of people who save money to undertake the holy pilgrimage. It is the dream of every Muslim to go there,” he said.
He accused the BJP of stoking Hindu-Muslim tensions for electoral gain. “The Government at the Centre is targeting Muslims to win elections through Hindu-Muslim politics. Until this hatred stops, the country will remain in danger,” he added.
On recent militant attacks in Jammu, Abdullah blamed Pakistan, saying, “We have appealed to them to stop these attacks and let us live in peace and progress. But that is not happening. And the BJP is not even ready to talk to them.”
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference and Handwara MLA Sajjad Lone criticized the ruling party for “orchestrating drama” in the Assembly to appease New Delhi. “There were contradictions from the beginning. Why were they shouting when they had 50 MLAs and the Speaker was also from their party? Is the NC against itself? They were acting as both the ruling party and the opposition, which does not happen in any democracy,” MLA, said.
He expressed disappointment over the Assembly’s failure to pass a resolution on the Waqf issue. “It was the right moment for the Muslim-majority region to pass a resolution. But that did not happen,” he said. He added, “I am not surprised by the NC chief’s statement.”

The post Abdullah backs Speaker’s decision on Waqf, slams opposition appeared first on Daily Excelsior.

News