Srinagar – A tense standoff in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Thursday ended with the house being adjourned due to a violent clash between BJP lawmakers and the marshals. This chaos erupted as opposition members continued their protests over a resolution that seeks to restore the region’s special status, a demand that has dominated the proceedings for two days in a row.
The resolution, introduced by the ruling National Conference (NC), has sparked heated opposition from the BJP. The BJP argued that the resolution is “illegal” and demanded its immediate withdrawal. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather made it clear that he had no authority to remove the resolution, as only the Assembly itself could undo its decisions.
The drama began when opposition lawmakers, including those from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples’ Conference, submitted a fresh resolution calling for the immediate restoration of Articles 370 and 35A in their original form. The tension escalated when BJP members strongly objected to the resolution passed the day before.
The session began in chaos as BJP leader Sunil Sharma voiced his opposition to the resolution. In the midst of his speech, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Sheikh Khursheed leaped into the well of the House holding a banner that read, “Restore Articles 370 and 35A.” This triggered a confrontation as BJP members jumped into the well to snatch and tear the banner. A scuffle broke out between BJP MLAs and Khursheed, who was soon joined by Peoples’ Conference MLA Sajad Lone, who intervened to support Khursheed.
The speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes to restore order. When the session resumed, BJP lawmakers continued their protest, despite requests from the speaker to take their seats. Speaker Rather warned the protesting members, saying, “I am very closely watching the activities of some members. Do not force me to do what I do not want to do.”
In the heated exchange, BJP members raised slogans like “Balidan huye jahan Mookerjee, woh Kashmir hamara hai,” referring to Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which later became the BJP. In retaliation, National Conference (NC) members chanted, “Jis Kashmir ko khoon se seencha, woh Kashmir hamara hai.”
The situation escalated further when the Speaker ordered the removal of BJP members who had stormed the well. This led to a scuffle between the BJP lawmakers and the marshals. “They deserve it, throw them out,” said Speaker Rather as BJP MLAs were physically evicted from the House. Three BJP lawmakers were forced out, and their removal was met with loud applause from the treasury bench.
Minister Satish Sharma then accused the BJP of playing a “divide and rule” game, stressing that “Bharat Mata belongs to all.” He condemned the BJP’s actions, saying, “The Constitution of India was on the table yesterday, and they were standing on it with their shoes on. They should be punished for it.”
Despite the protests, the session continued to be chaotic, with the speaker eventually adjourning the proceedings until Friday, the final day of the session.
Earlier on Wednesday, a similar uproar had occurred when Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved a resolution reaffirming the importance of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. The resolution expressed concern over its unilateral removal and called on the Centre to initiate talks with elected representatives for its restoration. It also emphasized that the process of restoration should safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In response to this resolution, a group of opposition members, including PDP MLAs Waheed Para and Fayaz Mir, Peoples’ Conference MLA Sajad Lone, AIP’s Sheikh Khursheed, and independent MLA Shabir Kullay, submitted a new resolution condemning the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. The opposition called the abrogation unconstitutional and accused the Indian government of undermining the region’s special status and statehood.
The BJP, however, maintains that Article 370 is history and cannot be reinstated. BJP MLA R S Pathania criticized the ruling National Conference, accusing them of “compromising the integrity” of the Assembly and making a “mockery” of parliamentary democracy by challenging a decision already made by the Indian Parliament.
As tensions remained high, Speaker Rather dismissed the BJP’s demand to withdraw the resolution, stating that only the Assembly had the power to undo any business passed by it.
The ongoing debate over the special status of Jammu and Kashmir shows no sign of abating, as both the BJP and opposition parties continue to clash over this highly sensitive issue.
