Uproar in J&K Assembly: Speaker Orders BJP MLAs Marshalled Out as Session Adjourns

Srinagar, 07-11-2024: In a turbulent session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, BJP legislators were marshaled out after a heated altercation over a resolution passed the previous day that supported the region’s special status. The session, marked by high drama and confrontations, ultimately led to the Assembly’s adjournment amid a series of protests, accusations, and physical scuffles.

The commotion began when BJP Leader of the Opposition, Sunil Sharma, denounced the resolution as “unconstitutional and illegal,” sparking outrage among the National Conference (NC) members. Standing in opposition, Sharma demanded the resolution’s withdrawal and accused the NC of “deceiving the people of Kashmir.” His remarks provoked a vocal response from ruling party members, escalating tensions in the chamber. Adding to the uproar, Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, the Awami Ittehad Party’s sole representative, joined the protests with a banner calling for the “Restoration of Article 370 and 35-A” and the “Release of political prisoners.” Sheikh’s action enraged BJP members, leading several of them to storm the Well of the House in an attempt to seize and ultimately destroy the banner, intensifying the brawl.

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather attempted to restore order but ultimately directed marshals to remove opposition members who had entered the Well. At least six BJP MLAs, including prominent figures such as Mohan Lal, RS Pathania, and Vikram Randhawa, resisted eviction, leading to a scuffle with Assembly marshals. During the melee, Sajjad Lone, chairman of the Peoples Conference, intervened to protect Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh from BJP members, receiving minor bruises in the process. Lone, who had been at political odds with Sheikh, later told reporters, “I could not stand by when I saw him surrounded. Although he is my opponent, no NC leader showed the courage to intervene.” He noted that Waheed Para joined him in his attempt to shield Sheikh, highlighting a rare moment of cooperation between political adversaries.

After a brief adjournment, the House reconvened, but BJP members renewed their protests, prompting more verbal clashes with the NC legislators. Speaker Rather repeatedly appealed for order, cautioning opposition members to respect House rules and reminding them, “This is not a fish market.” His attempts to quell the escalating tension went unheeded as BJP members persisted in their protest. Despite several calls for calm, the standoff showed no signs of abating, ultimately compelling the Speaker to adjourn the session for the day.

The incident underscored the deep divisions over Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and the increasingly contentious atmosphere within the state’s legislative proceedings. BJP members criticized the Speaker’s actions, accusing him of bias and claiming he acted more like an NC leader than a neutral arbiter. Their criticism extended to the Assembly’s handling of the resolution, asserting it was a symbolic gesture that disregarded the sentiment of the people. The NC, for its part, viewed the BJP’s actions as an attempt to undermine its commitment to preserving Kashmir’s unique identity.

In the wake of the adjournment, the session’s chaotic conclusion drew attention to the challenges facing the Assembly in navigating the fraught political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. As discussions around the region’s status continue to stir strong emotions, today’s events reflect the hurdles in achieving a constructive discourse amid political polarizations.

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