NC, PDP, Independents support Article 370 motion
BJP stages protest against resolution, terms “anti-national” agenda
Won’t allow J&K Assembly to function until resolution on Art 370 withdrawn: BJP
Srinagar, Nov 06: In a heated session on Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed a resolution calling for a dialogue aimed at “restoring special status and constitutional guarantees” to the Union Territory. The resolution also urged the establishment of “constitutional mechanisms” to facilitate this process. The resolution was passed by a voice vote, with all parties barring the BJP supporting it.
The resolution, moved by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, said: “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. This Assembly calls upon the government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for restoration of special status, constitutional guarantees and to work out constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions.”
As soon as Deputy CM Choudhary introduced the resolution, the house witnessed a ruckus as LoP Sharma opposed it, saying the Parliament had already abrogated Article 370 and the same cannot be restored.
The resolution received widespread support, backed by National Conference legislators, Health Minister Sakina Itoo, independent MLAs Sheikh Khursheed and Shabir Kullay, People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik, and three PDP legislators. The NC has the support of 55 legislators in the 90-member House. The support of the non-coalition legislators on the resolution pushed the number of supporters to 60 legislators.
BJP leaders, led by Sunil Sharma, raised objections, questioning the shift in legislative priorities and arguing that the motion was introduced without adequate notice. BJP lawmakers criticized the “last-minute” change to the day’s agenda, which sparked protests and disrupted the session.
“This is an illegal resolution and until they roll it back, we will continue our protest and not allow the proceedings of the House. They will have to roll it back, and then we will debate it,” said Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma.
All 28 BJP legislators staged a dramatic protest in the House, terming the NC-led government’s motion as “anti-national”. The lawmakers stormed into the well of the House, voicing strong disagreement and calling it a “betrayal” of national interests.
After the resolution was passed, the Assembly witnessed noisy scenes as BJP members continued their protest. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes. Upon reconvening, the BJP members raised slogans against the Speaker.
Sharma criticized Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, accusing him of siding with the ruling National Conference (NC) and “ripping apart” the dignity of the chair. Amid the uproar, BJP leader Sham Lal Sharma climbed onto a table in the well, accusing the NC of “manipulating” the sentiments of Jammu and Kashmir’s people “since 1947”.
“Yesterday, you spoke a different language. Article 370 is final. This political gimmick won’t work. From Sheikh Abdullah to Omar Abdullah, emotional blackmail has been routine,” Sharma said, urging the Speaker to maintain independence.
BJP legislators raised slogans such as “Jahan Huway Balidan Mukherji, woh Kashmir hamara hai” (Where Mukherjee sacrificed his life, that Kashmir is ours), “Desh drohi agenda nahi chalega” (Traitorous agenda will not work), “Aug 5 Zindabad” (Long live August 5), and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” (Victory to Mother India).
The protest intensified as BJP members accused the National Conference of attempting to change the name of Shankaracharya Hills to Takht-e-Sulaimani. “We will not allow this,” they declared while maintaining their position in the well of the House.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma also questioned Congress’s stance on the resolution. He demanded clarification on whether Congress members supported it, suggesting that if six members backed the resolution, it should be considered passed.
Sharma called the motion “unconstitutional” and asserted that it had “no legal standing.” He pointed out that Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated by Parliament, and the Supreme Court upheld this decision, emphasizing that the state assembly has no power over Parliament or the Supreme Court on constitutional matters.
Speaker Rather urged the protesting BJP members to take their seats, saying, “Enough is enough.” He then called NC’s Javaid Hassan Baig to move a motion of thanks for the Lieutenant Governor’s address. The proceedings were adjourned again for an hour and later for the day.
Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, guaranteed under Article 370, was revoked by the Centre in 2019, and the erstwhile state was downgraded to two Union Territories.
