| War of words escalates between Speaker, Mehbooba over parliamentary rules | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 24: The ongoing confrontation between Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti intensified on Monday over parliamentary procedures and conventions.
A day after Mehbooba accused him of “acting as a censor,” the Speaker hit back, advising the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president to familiarize herself with the rules before making statements.
Responding to Mehbooba’s remarks, in which she likened his actions to the imposition of Martial Law, Rather said, “I am sorry to say that she has not been properly advised, and her statement contradicts the established rules.”
Citing procedural guidelines, the Speaker emphasized that Rule 368 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly prohibits members from publicizing notices before they are admitted by the Speaker and circulated in the House. He also referenced Rule 334-A of the Lok Sabha's procedural rules, which imposes similar restrictions on premature publicity of parliamentary notices.
Quoting parliamentary authorities M.N. Kaul and S.L. Shakdher, the Speaker reiterated that it is against parliamentary practices and conventions to disclose notices of questions, adjournment motions, or resolutions before they are officially taken up in the House. “If such premature publicity occurs, the Speaker has the authority to express displeasure against those responsible,” Rather stated.
On Sunday, Mehbooba Mufti strongly criticized the Speaker for what she described as an attempt to silence elected representatives. She urged Rather to act as the “custodian of the House” rather than a “censor” suppressing legislators’ voices.
“While Rather A day after Mehbooba accused the Speaker of “acting as a censor,” he hit back, advising the PDP president to familiarize herself with the rules.
I am sorry to say that she has not been properly advised, and her statement contradicts the established rules.
Citing procedural guidelines, the Speaker emphasized that Rule 368 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of prohibits members from publicizing notices.
She argued that making legislative notices public enhances transparency and accountability. “Many parliamentary bills, such as the recent Waqf Bill, undergo public debates for months. Rather Sahab, a seasoned politician, seems to be imposing a form of martial law from a constitutional position,” she added.
The controversy erupted after Speaker Rather expressed strong displeasure over legislators publicizing their private member bills before they were officially listed in the Assembly. In a formal communique, the Speaker stated that "According to parliamentary practices and conventions, it is improper to give unwarranted publicity to questions, bills, and resolutions before they are taken up in the House."
The Speaker further warned that such actions could be deemed a “breach of privilege” and directed legislators to adhere to parliamentary rules to "preserve the sanctity of legislative proceedings."
His warning came after several legislators, including National Conference MLA Ahsan Pardesi (Lal Chowk), PDP MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz (Kupwara), and Awami Ittehad Party legislator Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad (Langate), shared their private member bills on social media, advocating for a ban on alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra (Pulwama) publicly posted his "Jammu and Kashmir (Regularisation and Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Public Land) Bill, 2025."
As the budget session approaches, the standoff between the Speaker and opposition leaders is expected to fuel further political tensions within the Assembly. |
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