For the third day in a row, chaos erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as discussions intensified around a controversial resolution seeking to restore the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The session witnessed heated shouting, scuffles, and ultimately a walkout by BJP members who opposed the resolution and labeled it as “illegal.”
The discord stemmed from a resolution introduced on Wednesday by the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), pushing for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, which had previously granted special autonomy to the region. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather dismissed BJP’s demand to withdraw the resolution, clarifying that any reversal of the resolution would require the House’s authority, not solely the Speaker’s.
BJP MLAs raise slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ in Jammu & Kashmir Assembly as ruckus erupts in the House after PDP MLA from Kupwara shows a banner on the restoration of Article 370. pic.twitter.com/AOg5sR7Mnu
— Jammu Kashmir News Network (@TheYouthPlus) November 8, 2024
BJP’s Strong Opposition Sparks Tensions
During a speech by BJP Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Sheikh Khursheed from the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) entered the assembly well, holding a banner that read “Restore Articles 370 and 35A.” BJP legislators swiftly intervened, tearing the banner, which led to a brief but tense scuffle in which People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone came to Khursheed’s defense. The confrontation prompted Speaker Rather to adjourn the session for 15 minutes.
On resuming, Speaker Rather urged the assembly to maintain order, cautioning that he may take disciplinary actions. Despite this, BJP members continued chanting slogans honoring Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, to which NC members responded by chanting about Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy.
Removal of BJP MLAs Intensifies Tensions
As disruptions persisted, Speaker Rather ordered several protesting BJP members to be escorted out of the assembly. A physical confrontation ensued as assembly marshals intervened, and three BJP MLAs were eventually removed, prompting applause from the treasury benches.
Minister Satish Sharma condemned BJP’s conduct, claiming that the party’s tactics were divisive. He accused the protesting BJP MLAs of “disrespecting the Constitution” by allegedly standing on it during the protest, calling for disciplinary measures against them.
Regional Parties Demand Reinstatement of Articles 370 and 35A
Following the incidents, PDP, People’s Conference, and AIP MLAs rallied to submit a new resolution condemning the 2019 abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. Spearheaded by PDP MLAs Waheed Para and Fayaz Mir, and People’s Conference’s Sajad Lone, the resolution described the abrogation as “unconstitutional” and a violation of foundational guarantees to Jammu and Kashmir. In a scathing statement, Lone also accused the NC of colluding with the BJP, alleging that the original NC resolution was a “fixed match.”
BJP MLA RS Pathania responded sharply, claiming that the actions of regional parties were an attempt to “compromise the integrity” of the Assembly. Pathania insisted that the abrogation of Article 370 was a settled matter, and that regional parties were reigniting unnecessary divisions within the Assembly.
As tensions continue to mount, it remains unclear how the House will navigate this deep divide over Jammu and Kashmir’s status and autonomy.
