For the third day, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly saw disruptions as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs protested a resolution on restoring Article 370 and the region’s special status. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather ordered 12 BJP MLAs to be marshalled out after they stormed into the well of the House. Another 11 BJP MLAs walked out in protest after their colleagues’ eviction.
MLAs Display Support for Article 370
On Friday, People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone and PDP MLA Waheed Para displayed a poster demanding Article 370’s restoration. Their move angered BJP members, who stood on tables and protested. Awami Ittehad Party MLA Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh also rushed into the well in support, leading to his own eviction. Sheikh, the brother of Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, accused the ruling National Conference (NC) and BJP of a “fixed match.” He claimed only MLAs challenging the abrogation face action. Sheikh dismissed the NC’s resolution as mere “eyewash.”
Resolution Urges Dialogue on Special Status
On Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary introduced a resolution to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. He stated the need to protect the region’s identity and rights. The resolution calls on the Centre to discuss with state representatives, stressing unity and addressing the people’s aspirations.
The assembly adjourned on Thursday after clashes between BJP MLAs and marshals over the resolution, marking two days of disruptions.