Pandemonium in Assembly as lawmakers trade slogans over Iran and Jammu issues

• Question Hour washed out as protests rock J&K Legislative Assembly
• BJP, NC and allies clash in House amid Iran war and NLU protests

Jammu, 27-03-2026: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed unprecedented uproar on Thursday as the House descended into chaos over two sharply contrasting issues, forcing repeated disruptions and resulting in the complete washout of Question Hour. The turmoil began as legislators from the ruling National Conference, along with its allies Congress and CPI(M), supported by the PDP and some Independent members, staged vocal protests against the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel against Iran. They strongly condemned the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and civilian casualties, raising slogans inside the House and accusing the aggressors of endangering global peace.

At the same time, BJP legislators launched a parallel protest demanding the establishment of a National Law University in the Jammu region. Carrying placards and raising slogans in support of their demand, BJP members countered the protests from treasury benches with chants of patriotism, turning the House into a battleground of competing political narratives. The situation quickly spiraled into a free-for-all, prompting Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to adjourn proceedings for half an hour after just 27 minutes, while the crucial Question Hour was entirely lost amid the din.

The disruption intensified further when Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone allegedly made remarks against senior functionaries of the Central Government, triggering sharp reactions from BJP members. BJP MLA Shagun Parihar engaged in a heated verbal exchange with Lone, while several BJP legislators rushed towards him in anger. The situation threatened to turn physical before marshals intervened in time to prevent any untoward incident inside the House. Papers were flung, slogans grew louder, and the atmosphere remained tense even after the House reassembled later in the morning.

The protests over Iran were marked by high symbolism, with some National Conference and PDP legislators carrying photographs of Ayatollah Khamenei and wearing black bands as a mark of solidarity. National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq, dressed in black attire and headgear, was seen holding Khamenei’s photograph both outside and inside the Assembly precincts. CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami termed the Iran conflict a serious global issue and urged India to take a principled and proactive stand by openly condemning the war and promoting dialogue for peace.

On the other hand, BJP MLA Surjit Singh Slathia questioned the selective outrage of other members, asking why similar protests were not raised in the House when Hindus were allegedly killed in Bangladesh. His remarks added another layer of confrontation to an already charged atmosphere. Despite repeated appeals by the Speaker to allow normal functioning and take up these issues in an orderly manner after Question Hour, the legislators remained adamant, leading to repeated slogan-shouting and renewed chaos.

The second phase of the budget session had resumed after a gap of more than five weeks, but its reopening was overshadowed by bitter political confrontation instead of legislative business. The House eventually continued later, with demands emerging from some ruling party legislators that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah make a formal statement on the Iran conflict, which he later did. The dramatic scenes in the Assembly reflected not only deep divisions over international developments but also sharp domestic political contestation over regional aspirations such as the demand for a National Law University in Jammu.