Srinagar, Mar 29 (KNS): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA from Pulwama, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, on Sunday criticised the newly passed J&K Civil Court (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which replaces the term “Munsiff Court” with “Civil Judge (Junior)”.
MLA Parra argued that the amendment, passed in the Assembly, marks a departure from historical and linguistic traditions associated with the region’s judiciary.
“Munsiff, an Arabic term that came to India via Persian, means ‘justice’ or ‘equity.’ Its removal may seem small, but it erases centuries of historical and linguistic legacy,” MLA Parra said in a post on X as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).
The PDP legislator stated that while the Bill introduced minor changes, the formal renaming of the court was significant.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHe drew a parallel to the aftermath of August 5, 2019, when the special status of the erstwhile state was abrogated.
“After 5th August, the erosion of history and records was blamed on the LG administration. Now, the same agenda is carried forward by an elected government, under the legitimacy of a mandate,” he said.
Acknowledging his party’s limited strength in the House, MLA Parra said, “With our numbers at just 4, our opposition isn’t enough in all voting processes to stop such moves. But one can’t help wonder: why erase a word that reflects justice and centuries of legal tradition?” (KNS)