The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed chaotic scenes on Thursday as a resolution calling for the restoration of the region’s special status under Article 370 led to physical clashes, protests, and walkouts. Tensions peaked when BJP MLAs confronted marshals and Opposition leaders, turning the Assembly session into a high-stakes battle over one of the region’s most controversial issues.
BJP Clashes with Marshals Over Article 370 Resolution
The ruckus began when Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather ordered the removal of some protesting BJP members after they disrupted proceedings over the resolution passed on Wednesday.
This is a reminder to BJP, this is not UP, this is Jammu and Kashmir assembly.
ANY misadventure will get befitting reply!
Kudos to @sajadlone for being the fierce tiger he is and putting these BJP MLA’s in their place.
DONT REKINDLE OUR MUSCLE MEMORY!!!!! @JKPCOfficial pic.twitter.com/kJpxTK9n59— Munneeb Quurraishi (@Muneeb_Quraishi) November 7, 2024
The situation escalated when J&K People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone intervened as a BJP MLA attempted to snatch a poster supporting Article 370 from Langate MLA Sheikh Khurshid. This led to a physical scuffle in the Assembly, forcing marshals to restore order as both sides clashed over the resolution’s legitimacy.
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A Fresh Resolution and Accusations of Political “Drama”
Today’s proceedings saw members of the PDP and People’s Conference submitting another resolution seeking the restoration of Article 370 and 35A. Sajad Lone criticized the National Conference, accusing them of playing political “drama” and of hypocrisy, saying, “We supported the resolution yesterday, and their spokesperson tweets that we are allies of BJP. Enough of this nonsense.”
Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma reiterated BJP’s stance against the resolution. Outside the Assembly, Sharma told reporters that the BJP would prevent the House from functioning until the resolution is withdrawn, and he accused Speaker Rather of partiality, claiming he acted as a “National Conference leader.” In Delhi, senior BJP leader Smriti Irani condemned the National Conference and Congress, accusing the INDIA alliance of waging a “new war against the Constitution.”
The Resolution’s Content and Passage
The Assembly’s resolution, passed yesterday, expressed “concern” over the “unilateral removal” of Article 370 and urged the central government to engage in a dialogue with elected representatives for its restoration. Backed by PDP, People’s Conference, and other regional parties, the resolution was passed without debate as BJP members vocally protested. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hailed the resolution as a step toward fulfilling the Assembly’s duty, emphasizing its significance to the Kashmiri people.
Backdrop: Restoration of Special Status – A Key Election Promise
This resolution comes on the heels of the National Conference-Congress alliance’s victory in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the first since the region’s special status was revoked in 2019. Restoration of Article 370 had been a central pledge in the National Conference’s campaign, resonating strongly with a segment of the Kashmiri electorate.
