Bedlam in J&K house as Dy CM moves resolution seeking restoration of special status

The resolution called upon the Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of the people of J&K for "restoration of special status, constitutional guarantees and to workout constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions." It, however, emphasized that any process for restoration "must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of J&K".

But the opposition BJP opposed the resolution calling it anti-national and a part of the "agenda of Pakistan and terrorists". Sunil Sharma, the leader of the opposition, said the resolution, moved in the House by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary earlier, was not part of the listed business. “We reject the resolution. The Business given to us was that the discussion is on the Lieutenant Governor’s address. It appears to be a rat race among parties here but they all know nothing is going to happen."

The House witnessed noisy disruptions with the BJP members crowding in the Well of the House in protest soon after Mr. Choudhary on being asked by Speaker Abdur Rahim Rather read out the resolution which was quickly seconded by minister for education and health Sakina Masood.

The slogan chanting BJP members called the move as part of the ruling National Conference (NC)'s "anti-national agenda" and vowed not to allow it to succeed. They tore copies of the resolution and threw the pieces into the well of the House.

Amid the face-off between the treasury benches and the BJP, the Speaker adjourned the House for half an hour.

After about 45 minutes, when the Speaker returned to the House and was about to take his seat, the BJP members asked him to "go back, go back". They accused the Speaker of being a part of the NC's "gameplan".

Congress MLA and party's chief whip Nizamuddin Bhat said it were the BJP members who have done a “dishonour” to the House. “They have violated the rules”, he said but added that every member has a right to speak in the House.

However, the BJP members continued to chant slogans against the resolution.The NC members countered the BJP' s sloganeering by yelling "Resolution ko pass karo ( Pass the resolution)." The lone Aam Aadmi Party legislator Mehraj Malik asked the protesting BJP members to read the resolution first and "know what it says before trying to take the House hostage".

The three PDP MLAs, J&K People's Conference member Sajad Gani Lone and independent legislators Sheikh Khursheed and Shabir Ahmed Kullay also supported the resolution.

But the BJP members ignored the Speaker 's repeated pleas to return to their seats and the bedlam persisted.

Amidst the uproar, the Speaker said if the opposition members do not want to speak on the motion on the Lt. Governor's address to the House “I will put the resolution to vote”.

Amid the chaotic scenes, the Speaker put the resolution to vote and it was passed by voice vote amid din and the BJP members yelling at him and accusing him of betraying the glory of the chair. Its Legislature Party Leader Mr. Sharma said, "We didn't expect you (Speaker) to do it. You dishonoured this chair". He asked him if this House was above the Parliament, the biggest temple of democracy, which revoked the special status of J&K or the Supreme Court of India which upheld the constitutional validity of the August 5, 2019 decisions? He also said, "We will not allow this anti-national agenda to succeed."

Mr. Sharma and the other 27 BJP members continued with their protest in the Well of the House, chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai,' 'Jai Shri Ram' , 'Vande Matram ' and 'Pakistani agenda nahi chale ga'.

As they refused to return to their seats and the NC members too continued with their slogan chanting, the Speaker again adjourned the House for one hour.

When the House reassembled after two adjournments, the BJP members straight walked into the Well and asked for "resolution ko wapas lo (take the resolution back)". They, once again, criticised the Speaker for "playing a partisan role" and "being hand in glove with the NC".

The Speaker responded by saying, "If you don't trust me, bring a no-confidence motion against me in the House. I will go if it is passed." He also asked them, "If you have decided not to allow this House to run what can I do. Don't shout and go and resume your seats".

The BJP members who had mounted onto the tables of the Assembly secretary and his staff refused to budge. They continued chanting slogans. The Speaker adjourned the House till 10 am on Thursday.

The resolution says, "That this Legislative Assembly reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal".

It adds, "This Assembly calls upon the Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of people of Jammu and Kashmir for restoration of special status, constitutional guarantees and to workout constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions."

It further states ,"This Assembly emphasizes that any process for restoration must safeguard both national and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir'".

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told reporters here that the J&K Assembly "has done its job."

NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said that the government led by Mr. Abdullah has fulfilled its promise of moving the resolution on special status on the first day of business in the Assembly. "I'm thankful to Omar Abdullah and the government for the resolution on the special status to Jammu and Kashmir. But, the fight won’t stop here as only the doors have been opened today through the Assembly,” he said.

He added that the majority of the members were in favour of the resolution and asked the BJP "not to deliver sermons to the government on the Speaker's role. We have seen how the Speaker treats us in the Parliament."

However, the PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti while addressing a hurriedly called press conference here termed the resolution "a halfhearted move and lacking conviction".

"The language could have been better. This is a halfhearted attempt and we are thinking of bringing amendments to the resolution, reflecting the strong sentiments of the people on the issue," she said, adding the NC's resolution did acknowledge concerns about the 2019 revocation of J&K's special status, but it failed to explicitly condemn the decision, which she described as unconstitutional.

"Instead of firmly calling for the complete restoration of Article 370, the resolution only suggested that dialogue be held on the matter. Dialogue with whom?," she asked.

The BJP held a protest at the party headquarters in Jammu against the passing of the resolution by the Assembly. Led by the newly appointed J&K BJP unit chief Sat Sharma, the party workers chanted slogans against the NC and its alliance partner the Congress for bringing an 'anti-India resolution' in the Assembly. They also torched the effigies of the Chief Minister and his deputy.

Mr, Sharma BJP accused the NC of befooling the people of J&K. He asserted no state or UT assembly can bring back Article 370 or Article 35A. "We will continue to protest against the nefarious designs of NC- Congress in the house and on streets, " he said