Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 28
Proceedings in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly descended into disorder on Monday as BJP members protested Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resolution seeking restoration of full statehood.
BJP lawmakers entered the Well of the House, raised slogans, tore business papers and staged parallel proceedings after the party objected to references to earlier resolutions on autonomy and special status.
The confrontation began after the BJP moved a motion seeking the removal of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, accusing him of allowing the statehood resolution in breach of rules.
BJP legislator R S Pathania said the party would not allow the resolution to be debated or passed in its existing form.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP supported restoration of statehood but opposed the way the resolution had been framed.
As the protest continued, BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma began conducting mock proceedings from the Well while other party members participated from the floor.
Minister Sakina Itoo criticised the protest, while ruling and opposition members exchanged slogans.
The confrontation later became physical, with BJP members allegedly attacking Congress legislators with a microphone stand, prompting assembly marshals to intervene.
BJP legislators Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta and Congress legislators Irfan Hafiz Lone and Iftikhar Ahmad were marshalled out of the House.
Speaker Rather warned members that disciplinary action would follow if disruptions continued.
Despite the uproar, the assembly proceeded with its scheduled business and passed the statehood resolution after BJP members walked out.
