Jammu-Kashmir Assembly ruckus: A massive brawl broke out between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs and marshals of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today (November 7) after the speaker directed the eviction of opposition members who had stormed the well during their protest over the special status resolution.
The opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) moved a fresh resolution in the assembly to seek restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. “This House strongly condemns the unconstitutional and unilateral abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, along with the enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and statehood, undermining the foundational guarantees and protections originally accorded to the region and its people by the Constitution of India,” the resolution read.
The resolution was submitted by PDP members Waheed Para (MLA Pulwama) and Fayaz Mir (MLA Kupwara), Peoples' Conference MLA from Handwara Sajad Lone, Awami Ittehad Party MLA from Langate Sheikh Khursheed (brother of MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid), and independent MLA from Shopian Shabir Kullay.
PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra moved another resolution condemning the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A in J-K Assembly.
He said, "Yesterday's resolution (moved by National Conference) was vague and there was a lot of ambiguity in it. The resolution was seeking restoration of dialogue for Article 370 and Special status. Keeping in mind the public sentiment and outrage, we condemned the 5th August 2019 move and we seek restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and Special status in its pristine form. We request the National Conference to table this resolution. Both sides (BJP & National Conference) are playing to galleries. BJP 's Amit Malviya from Delhi had appreciated the resolution yesterday...We want the sentiments of the public should be reflected in the House."PDP MLAs also called for the reversal of all changes introduced in the Union territory after the erstwhile state was stripped of its special status in 2019. The Modi government abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Article 35A gave special rights to the permanent residents of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
At least three MLAs were marshalled out on the directions of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather but the brawl ensued due to resistance put up by the opposition members.
BJP protests inside Jammu-Kashmir Assembly
As soon as the assembly met this morning, uproar prevailed as BJP members protested against the resolution that was passed on Wednesday. While BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma was speaking over the resolution, Awami Ittehad Party leader and MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed jumped into the well displaying a banner that read Articles 370 and 35A be restored.
This infuriated the BJP members, who also jumped into the well and snatched the banner, which they tore into pieces. The speaker tge adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes. However, the BJP members continued their protest even after the House was adjourned.
After the House resumed its proceedings, the BJP members continued to protest, even as the speaker requested the opposition members to take their seats.
"You are LoP, we will hear you," the speaker told Sharma.
However, when the protest continued, the speaker said, "You are not above rules. See the rules. I am very closely watching activities of some members. Don't force me to do what I don't want to do".
Sharma, however, said, "I want the National Conference's drama of special status to end", which infuriated the treasury benches leading to protests.
As the din continued, almost all MLAs stood on their feet. The BJP members raised slogans "Balidaan huway jahan Mukherjee woh Kashmir hamara hai" while NC MLAs stated "Jis Kashmir ko khoon say seencha, woh Kashmir hamara hai".
As the uproar continued, the speaker issued directions that nothing should be recorded or reported. The speakers then directed marshalling out of BJP members who stormed the well, leading to a scuffle between assembly marshals and the BJP MLAs.
"They deserve it, throw them out," the Speaker said.
BJP MLA Shagun Parihar stood on table
As the lone BJP woman MLA, Shagun Parihar stood on a table, female marshals were called in to deal with her. As the BJP MLAs were marshalled out, they came to blows with the marshals. Three BJP MLAs were marshalled out of the House amidst thumping of tables by the treasury benches.
While the NC members raised the slogans of "Jammu Kashmir ki awaaz kya, (Article) 370 aur kya", BJP MLAs raised "Bharat Mata ki Jai". Minister Satish Sharma stood up and said the BJP "is playing divide and rule". He said "Bharat mata" belonged to all.
"The table on which they (BJP members) were standing on yesterday had the Constitution of India on it. They stood on it with their shoes on. They should be punished for it," Sharma said. However, the ruckus continued in the House.
After the passage of the resolution on Wednesday, the House had witnessed uproar as the BJP members protested vociferously, resulting in frequent disruptions of the proceedings. Eventually, the speaker had adjourned the House for the day.
JK Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary had moved the resolution which said, "This legislative assembly reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal."
It said the JK Assembly calls upon the government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of the people of JK for the restoration of special status and constitutional guarantees, and to workout constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions.
"This Assembly emphasises that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," the resolution added.
