“I am not surprised”: JKPC chief slams NC, questions silence on Waqf law in J-K

Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC) President Sajad Lone on Monday criticised National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah, questioning the NC’s handling of the recent Assembly session and their silence on the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

“I am not surprised. He should explain what happened in the last three days of the Assembly session. The statehood resolution or any other bill could not be passed. What was that drama? Were the NC MLAs against their party patron?” Lone said while speaking to the media in Kupwara.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, speaking to ANI on Monday, supported the Speaker’s decision in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to not allow discussion on the newly amended Waqf law, citing that the issue was currently under consideration in the Supreme Court.

“This Bill is against the Constitution. The Speaker (of the J&K Assembly) made a good decision of not allowing discussion on this, as the matter is in the Supreme Court. We can talk about this after the Supreme Court’s decision. The Opposition here is only meant to do opposition; it is not a healthy criticism,” Abdullah said.

He pointed out that despite the concerns around the Waqf (Amendment) Act, no resolution was passed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. “The issue of Waqf would not have changed as a result of our discussions or resolution. They (NC) want to please their masters in Delhi,” he added.

Lone expressed disappointment that Jammu and Kashmir, the only Muslim-majority state in the country, did not take a stand. “J&K is the only Muslim majority state in the country, and we did not pass any resolution against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, and will carry that blot on us forever,” he said.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively, was passed in both Houses and later received the President’s assent on April 5, after which it became law.