The third day of chaos as legislators clash over restoring Jammu Kashmir Article 370’s special status, leading to protests and walkouts

For the third consecutive day, intense discord erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly over a resolution calling for the reinstatement of Articles 370 and 35A, which previously granted special status to the region. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) introduced the resolution, sparking fierce opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP members condemned the resolution as “illegal” and demanded its withdrawal. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather rejected their demand, asserting that only the Assembly itself has the authority to reverse passed resolutions. The resolution to restore Jammu Kashmir Article 370 has further fueled tensions between political parties in the region.

The session quickly devolved into chaos as the BJP escalated its opposition. Several party members leapt into the well of the House, leading to physical confrontations and ultimately prompting a walkout. During the turmoil, Speaker Rather ordered the removal of protesting BJP legislators, further escalating tensions. Despite his calls for calm, BJP members persisted, chanting slogans in tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee, founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. In response, NC members countered with their own chants, emphasizing the historic sacrifices made for Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy.

The conflict grew even more intense when Sheikh Khursheed of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) entered the assembly with a banner demanding the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. The display triggered a physical altercation as BJP members tore the banner, leading to a scuffle that required a 15-minute adjournment. When the session resumed, BJP members continued their protest, leading Speaker Rather to issue warnings to restore order. He eventually ordered the removal of several members, sparking applause from the treasury benches.

As the BJP legislators were escorted out by marshals, Minister Satish Sharma condemned their actions, accusing them of “disrespecting the Constitution” by allegedly standing on it during their protest. He called for disciplinary measures, asserting that such behaviour disrupted the dignity of the Assembly. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Conference, and AIP representatives also voiced their opposition, proposing a new resolution that denounced the 2019 abrogation of Article 370 as unconstitutional. PDP MLAs Waheed Para and Fayaz Mir, along with People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone, argued that the abrogation violated foundational guarantees made to Jammu and Kashmir. In a separate statement, Lone criticized the NC, accusing it of playing a “fixed match” with the BJP, and claimed that the NC’s initial resolution did not sufficiently condemn the 2019 abrogation.

BJP MLA RS Pathania criticized the regional parties’ actions as attempts to “compromise the integrity” of the Assembly, emphasizing that the abrogation of Jammu Kashmir Article 370 was a settled matter. The session concluded with heightened emotions, as legislators continued to grapple with the deeply divisive issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.