Srinagar, Apr 03 (KNO): Asserting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will chair an emergency meeting of party legislators on Friday, National Conference chief spokesperson and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq has demanded immediate debate in the J&K Legislative Assembly on the Waqf Amendment Bill passed by the Parliament.
Sadiq, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), has shot a letter to Speaker of Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather, seeking an urgent debate on the Bill. “It’s a direct interference into the religious places and properties of Muslims. I have appealed to the Speaker that my Private Member Resolution be accepted and a discussion be held on April 7,” he said, adding, “I believe no one other than Muslim understands these properties. The bill is against the minorities and NC opposes it.”
Sadiq said that he has sought the support of all the MLAs. “I want every member to support the resolution and send a message that the bill was incorrect and has been opposed in the J&K Assembly,” he added.
Notably, Lok Sabha passed Waqf Amendment Bill after hours of heated debate on Wednesday night. As many as 288 votes were in favour and 232 votes were against the Bill.
About the Chief Minister chairing a meeting of NC Legislative Party and alliance partners on Friday, Sadiq said that “it is not a normal meeting but an emergency meeting, which will be chaired by Omar Abdullah himself. The details and discussions will be shared accordingly.”
However, he said that the public mandate must be respected and it should not be insulted by anyone. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have congratulated the people of J&K from time to time for participating in the 2024 assembly elections. It stands the responsibility of everyone including the leaders to respect the mandate. Undermining the elected government is tantamount to insulting the voters and their mandate,” he said—(KNO)