The newly elected Jammu and Kashmir Assembly which commenced on Monday after a gap of six years was marred by ruckus after People’s Democratic Party Lawmaker Wahid Parra tabled a resolution against the scrapping of Article 370 in August 2019.
Para representing the Pulwama Assembly seat, submitted the resolution to newly elected Speaker, Abdul Rahim and requested a discussion on the matter although it was not a part of the agenda.
“Although the agenda of the House has been finalized, we believe that your authority as the Speaker allows the inclusion of the resolution, as it reflects the sentiment of the people at large,” it said.
Shortly after it was tabled, Bharatiya Janata Party lawmakers resisted the move. Other Jammu and Kashmir BJP MLAs also stood up to oppose the resolution which led to havoc and noise inside the Assembly.
The Resolution
“This house opposes the revocation of special status of J&K and constitutional disempowerment of Jammu and Kashmir through the J&K reorganisation Act, 2-19 and calls for its complete rescinding,” reads the resolution.
“House further resolves to strive for the restoration of special status and all constitutional guarantees granted to Jammu and Kashmir in their original prisitine form,” it read.
Demand of Para’s Suspension
Furthermore, BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma demanded Para’s suspension for bringing the resolution in violation of Assembly rules.
Meanwhile, The Speaker, in order to tone down the environment, repeatedly requested the protesting members to take their seats, but they continued their protest. He said the resolution has not come to him yet and when it does, he would examine it.
National Conference MLAs Slammed BJP MLAs for interrupting the Proceedings
As the BJP Members refused to call off their protest, National Conference MLAs slammed them for interrupting the proceedings of the House.
Addressing the session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the resolution has “no importance and it is only for the cameras.”
“How the House will reflect and discuss this (matter) will not be decided by any one member. If there was a purpose behind it (resolution), then they would have discussed this with us before,” he said.
He earlier said it would be “foolish” to expect the BJP to restore Article 370. He further claimed that he knew a resolution to this effect was coming, and said, “The reality is that the people of J&K do not approve of the decision taken on August 5, 2019. If they had approved, then the results today would have been different.”
“Proud” of Waheed Para
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said she was “proud” of Waheed Para for submitting the resolution.
“Proud of Waheed Parra for introducing resolution in JK Assembly opposing the revocation of Article 370 and resolve to restore the special status. God bless you,” she tweeted.
