J&K Speaker warns of action over publicising questions, resolutions, Bills etc. ahead of Assembly session

Jammu and Kashmir Speaker warns Opposition against publicizing Assembly proceedings; PDP defends move, sparking controversy.

Jammu and Kashmir Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday (February 24, 2025) warned of action against Opposition parties that make notices of questions, adjournment motions, resolutions etc., public ahead of the Assembly proceedings. 

However, the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defended the move to publicise the Private Member Bills. “Rahim Rather sahib has threatened us saying don’t discuss Bills in public. Why shouldn’t we discuss it in public? Why isn’t the National Conference-led government releasing the Assembly rules or business rules? I hope they aren’t silently putting a stamp on the 5 August move (when the Centre ended J&K’s special status),” PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said.

The PDP recently announced to introduce three Bills in the Assembly dealing with regularisation of casual labourers, alcohol ban and land ownership to landless. It also made public several Private Member Bills, including one on the regularisation of State land held by locals for around 20 years. 

However, Speaker Rather, referring to rules and conventions of the House, said, “Rule 368 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, provides that notice shall not be given publicity by any member or other person until it has been admitted by the Speaker and circulated to members. Similarly, a notice of a question shall not be given any publicity until the day on which the question is answered in the House”.

The Speaker said as per the commentary on practice and procedure of Parliament by M.N. Kaul and S.L. Shakdher, who are renowned authorities on the subject, it is “improper to give for any reason premature publicity in the Press to notices of questions, adjournment motions, resolutions, answers to questions and other similar matters connected with the business of the House”. 

“If this takes place, the Speaker may express his displeasure against the person responsible for it. I am sorry to say that she [Ms. Mufti] had not been properly advised and her statement is against the Rules position,” Mr. Rather said.

Mr. Rather said this is the first time that the Members have done so and I have conveyed my displeasure. “But if they insist on this, I shall have to take action against them, as per Rules”.