Ruckus in J&K assembly again; BJP MLAs, Engineer Rashid’s brother marshalled out

The Jammu and Kashmir assembly has been facing continuous disruptions for the third consecutive day, primarily due to debates surrounding Article 370 and calls to restore the region’s special status. The tensions escalated as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members vocally opposed a resolution to restore the former state’s special status, resulting in multiple BJP MLAs being removed from the assembly.

Key Events:

1. Eviction of BJP MLAs: On the orders of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, around 12 BJP MLAs were escorted out after storming the well of the House. Following their removal, 11 additional BJP members exited in protest.
2. Display of Protest Posters: Sajad Lone, leader of the People’s Conference, and Waheed Para from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) showed a poster urging for Article 370’s restoration. This move sparked immediate backlash from BJP members, who protested by standing on the tables.
3. Allegations of Bias: Awami Ittehad Party’s Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, who was also marshalled out, accused the ruling National Conference and BJP of being involved in a “fixed match,” alleging that action was being taken selectively against MLAs who opposed the abrogation of Article 370. He dismissed the National Conference’s resolution as mere “eyewash.”
4. Assembly Adjournment: On the previous day, the assembly was forced to adjourn following clashes between BJP MLAs and marshals amid BJP protests against the special status resolution.
5. Resolution to Reinstate Special Status: The resolution, introduced by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, aims to highlight the significance of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in preserving its unique identity, culture, and rights. It calls on the central government to initiate discussions with the region’s elected representatives to consider restoring special status, balancing national unity with the aspirations of the people.

This ongoing conflict underscores the complexities surrounding Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, with political factions sharply divided on how best to address the region’s autonomy and identity within the larger framework of national unity.