Ruckus in J-K Assembly as opposition parties stage protest over beef ban
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, now in its autumn session, was adjourned for rest of the day on Monday amid ruckus and violence over relief to September 2014 flood victims and the beef ban issue.
The day’s proceedings started with legislators of opposition National Conference (NC) and Congress chanting slogans against the PDP-BJP government, after they alleged it has failed in providing relief to the flood victims. While the Opposition members were on their feet, some of those from the Congress carried placards in their hands which read “Don’t exploit flood victims” and tried to walk to the Well of the House.
Soon the NC as well as Congress members came near the Speaker’s chair chanting slogans. They also clashed with the watch and ward staff when they came in their way.
Amid ruckus, Speaker Kavinder Gupta adjourned the house for 15 minutes. When the House reassembled after 35 minutes, the opposition members repeated the pursuit, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for half an hour.
When the House reassembled after 75 minutes, the protesting MLAs again jumped into the Well. This time they demanded discussion on the beef ban issue. The Speaker, however, disallowed discussion on the beef ban issue citing rule 58 of the House. Earlier also he had disallowed discussion on the beef ban issue saying “When the relevant bills will come up, we will discuss it then.” He also said that he has received few bills on the issue (which have been listed for October 8). Two other Opposition MLAs including CPIM’s Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami had moved adjournment motion on the issue.
Not satisfied with the Speaker’s explanations, the opposition members began chanting slogans which included “RSS Speaker Hai Hai, RSS Speaker Hai Hai; Modi-Mufti Hai Hai; RSS ka jo Yaar Hai, Gadaar Hai Gadaar Hai”. The opposition members also started beating the desks causing pandemonium in the House.
Several Opposition members were marshalled out of the House on the Speaker’s orders. In the pandemonium, a watch and ward staff member suffered muscle injuries. The Speaker then adjourned the House till Tuesday morning.
The Upper House of the J&K legislature also witnessed noisy scenes over the flood rehabilitation and beef ban issues.
