Lagatar24 Desk
NEW DELHI: Intense scenes unfolded at the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in Srinagar on Thursday as a ruckus erupted when MLA Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, brother of Engineer Rashid, displayed a banner advocating for the restoration of Article 370.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma immediately objected to the display, prompting a temporary adjournment of the House. The situation escalated further, leading to marshals escorting some Opposition MLAs out of the chamber. The session resumed shortly after a brief suspension.
This altercation followed a similar incident on Wednesday when Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary introduced a resolution calling for the reinstatement of Article 370, which was met with fierce resistance from the BJP.
‘Jai Shri Ram’ Slogans and Anti-Pakistan Chants
The legislative assembly saw intense protests after the resolution was tabled, which advocated dialogue between the central government and local representatives to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. BJP MLAs reacted vehemently, storming the well of the House, tearing copies of the resolution, and shouting slogans such as “August 5 Zindabad,” “Jai Shri Ram,” “Vande Mataram,” and “Pakistani Agenda Nahin Chalega.” These disruptions led to an adjournment of the session.
Resolution on Article 370 Sparks Heated Exchanges
Debates on Article 370 have dominated discussions since the assembly’s inaugural session began earlier this week. PDP leader Waheed Para, representing Pulwama, first introduced the resolution advocating for the reinstatement of special status and statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, aligning with the party’s position against the 2019 revocation.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah downplayed the resolution as “symbolic,” suggesting it was more of a public statement than a practical legislative effort. He argued that a genuine approach would have involved consultation with the National Conference before being tabled.
Broader Political Stakes
The debate over Article 370 holds significant political weight, especially as this assembly marks the first session with an elected government since the 2019 abrogation. The recent elections demonstrated a divided political landscape, with the Congress-National Conference alliance winning 49 of the 90 assembly seats, while the BJP secured 29 seats.
