The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has descended into turmoil for the third consecutive day, as a resolution seeking the restoration of special status—revoking the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A—ignited heated confrontations and dramatic walkouts. The resolution, proposed by the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), demands a return of the state’s autonomy, a topic that has long divided the Assembly and the public.
The conflict had started in early week when NC presented the resolution. BJP branded it “illegal” and demanded its withdrawal. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather refused, insisting that only the House had the authority to withdraw a resolution, not the Speaker. His decision heightened the tension: shouting matches began across the aisle as BJP leaders protested against the NC motion.
Chaos erupted once again yesterday on Thursday as Leader of the Opposition in the BJP, Sunil Sharma, spoke. As he was speaking, Awami Ittehad Party leader Sheikh Khursheed stormed into the well of the Assembly waving a banner demanding restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. It was such a provocation that BJP legislators tore down the banner and skirmished with Khursheed for a few minutes. But fuel was added to fire by MLA Sajad Lone of the People’s Conference. The Speaker adjourned the session for 15 minutes to clear the house but the unruly BJP members continued protesting and raising slogans in praise of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
Despite calls for order, BJP members persisted, prompting the Speaker to issue stern warnings. Ultimately, Rather ordered the removal of three BJP MLAs, who resisted until they were escorted out by Assembly marshals. Their exit was met with applause from members on the treasury benches, while opposition leaders claimed the removal was unconstitutional.
Minister Satish Sharma seized the moment to denounce the BJP’s conduct, accusing its members of “disrespecting the Constitution”. Sharma alleged that some BJP members had stood on the Constitution during their protest, an act he labeled as a breach of parliamentary decorum.
In a show of solidarity, legislators from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Conference and AIP introduced a fresh resolution condemning the 2019 abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. This new resolution, led by PDP members Waheed Para and Fayaz Mir alongside People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone, criticized the abrogation as “unconstitutional” and a “betrayal of foundational promises”.
As both sides continue to defend their positions, the Assembly remains deeply divided, with regional leaders accusing the BJP of undermining local autonomy and the BJP condemning the opposition’s actions as attempts to destabilize the Assembly’s integrity. The political stalemate underscores the complexities surrounding Jammu and Kashmir’s special status—a debate that continues to fuel both local and national discourse.
