Srinagar: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said the role of the speaker of an Assembly is to safeguard the rights of the members of the House and not act as a censor.
Her remarks came after Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather took serious note of publicity of the House business notices ahead of the Budget session. The speaker has asked the members to desist from committing a breach of privilege.
Mufti accused Rather of imposing a form of “martial law” while occupying a constitutional position.
“While Rathar Sahab may be concerned with preserving the sanctity of legislative proceedings, as Speaker, his primary role is to safeguard the rights of members, not to act as a censor,” the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said in a post on X.
She said transparency and public awareness about legislative activities should not be seen as an infringement on parliamentary practices.
“On the contrary, informing the public about notices, questions, and resolutions in advance promotes accountability. Many significant parliamentary bills, such as the recent Waqf Bill, are debated publicly for months.
“Regrettably, it appears that Rathar Sahab, a seasoned politician, is imposing a form of martial law while occupying a constitutional position,” she added.
The Budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is scheduled to begin from March 3.
The speaker has said it is improper to give unwarranted publicity to the notices for questions, bills, resolutions and other similar matters connected with the business of the House.
Meanwhile, Mufti joined the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) signature campaign seeking a ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir at south Kashmir’s Pulwama.