In a dramatic session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Friday, tensions flared between legislators of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC) as they clashed over the wording of a resolution aimed at restoring the special status of the erstwhile state. This happened in the absence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members who earlier clashed with the treasury benches and legislators of PDP, AIP and PC over the same resolution.
PDP MLA Waheed Para from Pulwama expressed his party’s support for the resolution introduced by the ruling NC earlier in the week. However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring that the language used does not imply any compromise on the part of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “The onus of acceptance and tolerance lies on the majority. We are recording the erosion of our legacy, the legacy of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah,” he stated, stressing that this session is historic and must not be perceived as a betrayal.
Para’s remarks were met with immediate backlash from NC members, especially after he raised concerns about derogatory comments made about PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed during discussions on the motion of thanks to the Lieutenant Governor’s address. He pointedly remarked, “If we talk of betrayal, it was started by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. He was the first one to compromise,” igniting further protests from the treasury benches.
The assembly has been embroiled in controversy for three consecutive days, following the passage of the resolution concerning Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. The situation escalated when several MLAs were escorted out by Marshalls, prompting remaining BJP legislators to stage a walkout earlier today and hold a parallel gathering outside the assembly, accusing the Speaker of bias against the opposition.
The Assembly met for a five-day session on Monday, the first since the developments of August 5, 2019, when the erstwhile state was bifurcated into Union territories and its special status revoked. It witnessed chaotic scenes since Wednesday, disrupting its proceedings.
The assembly was adjourned sine die after the House passed the Motion of Thanks on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s address.
