Was It About Waqf or Stalling Statehood?”: Sajad Lone Slams NC’s Double Standards Over Waqf Bill, Lapsed Statehood Resolutions
Published on April 7, 2025
Srinagar | April 7, 2025 – In a hard-hitting statement, Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) Chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone has called out the National Conference (NC) for what he termed as “theatre and double standards” over their stance on the Waqf Bill and restoration of statehood to J&K.
Speaking after three crucial resolutions on statehood lapsed in the Assembly, Lone raised serious concerns about the NC’s sincerity, questioning whether their vocal opposition to the Waqf Bill was merely a distraction from their inaction on more critical legislative matters.
“If NC’s performance in the Assembly wasn’t just a song-and-dance show, then why haven’t they moved a no-confidence motion against their own Speaker, who disallowed their adjournment motion?” Lone asked, pointing out the irony that the Speaker in question belongs to the NC itself.
Clarifying legislative procedures, Lone said that adjournment motions are censure motions meant to criticize the government, not to oppose specific legislation like the Waqf Bill.
“The only way to register formal opposition to a bill is by bringing a resolution. But NC chose not to do that,” he emphasized.
Lone also noted a historical pattern, drawing attention to a similar incident in 2013, when a resolution regarding Afzal Guru lapsed due to NC Speaker adjourning the House amid Congress-led disruption.
“History repeats itself. Today, three resolutions on statehood lapsed. So I ask—was the drama really about the Waqf, or was it about preventing the discussion on statehood?” he asked.
Adding to the political irony, Lone criticized the NC leadership for their actions outside the Assembly.
“Dr. Farooq sahib and CM sahib were seen on a morning walk with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju—the very man who introduced the Waqf Bill in Parliament. How does that align with their supposed outrage?”
He accused NC of playing the roles of “judge, jury, and executioner,” while failing to present a unified front against what he described as a “direct blow to the autonomy of a Muslim-majority province.”
In a scathing conclusion, Lone remarked:
“It’s truly shameful that in the only Muslim-majority province in India, three resolutions seeking restoration of statehood are allowed to lapse, while leaders casually walk with the architects of the Waqf Bill. This is a massive letdown for Muslims across the country.”
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