After Privilege Breach notice; Waheed Para says opposition voices ‘being silenced’

27 November 2024

By: Jahangir Sofi

Srinagar: Reacting to the notice of ‘’Breach of Privilege’, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para Wednesday termed that as a ‘deliberate’ attempt to suppress the opposition’s voice in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

Para’s strong reaction comes after he was given seven days to respond to allegations made by National Conference (NC) legislator Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), who accused him of making derogatory remarks during a recent Assembly session and ‘breaching’ legislative privilege.

Speaking to the media, Para, as per the news agency said, “the government claims to give voice to the people, but when we, as the opposition, attempt to raise their issues and sentiments in the Assembly, they are met with such actions,”

He said that they did not make any mistake and that when they spoke about Article 370, the speaker ‘ignored’ them, stating that he did not hear. He said despite submitting notices, resolutions, and amendments, none were acknowledged.

Parra added, “The breach of privilege motion seems to be a tactic to threaten and silence us. We are only a few opposition members in the Assembly trying to represent the people’s voices. But we will not be intimidated or silenced. This motion was initiated because we resisted when a legislator made derogatory remarks against Jamaat-e-Islami and Mufti Sahab. Let them know that we will not back down.”

Notably, PDP leader and member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Waheed Ur Rehman Para, has been asked by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to respond to allegations of ‘breaching legislative privilege’ within seven days.

“The Office is in receipt of a communication from Mr. Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi) Hon’ble Member, addressed to Hon’ble Speaker in which it has been stated that Mr. Waheed Ur Rehman Para, Hon’ble Member during his speech on Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s Address on 8 of November 2024 has levelled some allegations and used derogatory remarks against him,” reads the letter.

According to the communication addressed to Para, Khan has alleged that the PDP member made derogatory remarks and levelled accusations and used derogatory remarks against him during his speech on the Motion of Thanks to the Lieutenant Governor’s address on November 8, 2024.

As per the communication by the Qazi Mushtaq Ahmad, Under Secretary in J&K legislative assembly secretariat, to Para on Tuesday, the letter states that the matter was brought to the attention of the Speaker of the assembly, who has desired Para’s comments on the issue before proceeding ahead in the matter.

“I am, accordingly, directed to forward the copy of the said communication with the request to kindly furnish your comments in the matter within seven (7) days positively so that same could be placed before the Hon’ble Speaker for his kind perusal,” reads the letter. —(KNO)