Assembly moves resolution, Sakina seconds motion; Two Independent MLAs, PDP Legislators, Sajad Lone support resolution; BJP leaders oppose, call resolution illegal, unconstitutional, storm into Well, Speaker adjourns House thrice
Srinagar, Nov 6: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution seeking restoration of special status amid massive protest by the opposition BJP.
Ruckus ensued after the House passed a resolution seeking a restoration of special status to the erstwhile state, now a Union territory and constitutional guarantees.
“This 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,” the resolution stated.
The resolution was passed with the support from three PDP legislators, two independent MLAs and Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone.
Soon after the Assembly met for day three, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on behalf of the government, moved a resolution that read: “This 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 the unilateral removal.”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators tore apart the copies of the resolution and raised slogans against the National Conference -led government in J&K.
The BJP MLAs raised slogans of “August 5 Zindabad”, “Jai Shri Ram”, “Vande Mataram”, “Anti-national Agenda Nahi Chalega”, “Anti-Jammu Agenda Nahi Chalega”, “Pakistani Agenda Nahin Chalega”, and “Speaker Hai Hai” leading to frequent disruptions of the proceedings resulting in adjournment of the House.
The National Conference and BJP traded barbs against each other during the proceedings.
Leader of opposition Sunil Sharma accused the Speaker of being partisan, “We have reports that you (speaker) called a meeting of ministers yesterday and drafted the resolution yourself.”
Another BJP MLA, Sham Lal Sharma, said the resolution was prepared “in collusion with the speaker in a guest house”.
“The mandate (of the Assembly polls) was in favour of abrogation of Article 370 because we (BJP) got 26 per cent votes against NC’s 23 per cent. Today he has acted as an NC leader,” he added.
Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution for restoring the special status of J-K, revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019.
“The Assembly calls upon the Government of India to initiate a dialogue with the elected representatives of Jammu and Kashmir for the restoration of special status and constitutional guarantees and to work out constitutional mechanisms to restore these provisions,” the resolution added.
It also read that this Assembly emphasizes that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of J&K. The motion was seconded by senior NC leader and Health Minister Sakina Itoo.
The move evoked sharp criticism from the BJP leader and LoP Sunil Sharma and other BJP leaders who questioned change in the business. “When business was about discussion on LG’s address, how resolution,” he said. Independent MLAs Sheikh Khursheed and Shabir Kullay, PC chief Sajad Lone supported the resolution besides three PDP legislators.
The Speaker Abdur Rahim Rather put the resolution to vote which was passed with the majority. The BJP continued the protests in the house forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for 15 minutes.
Soon after the resolution was passed, as BJP legislators created an uproar by storming into the well of the House, the Speaker first adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House met again, BJP leaders continued to remain in the Well of the House and refused to settle down despite repeated requests by the Speaker, who again adjourned the House for one hour. And when the House met again, the BJP leaders termed the NC as anti-national and pro-Pakistan.
The opposition camp led by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma called the resolution as “cheating” stating that when business was discussion on LG’s address how come resolution was brought in the House. As BJP intensified the protest, the Speaker adjourned the house third time till tomorrow (Thursday).
On August 5, 2019, Centre had rolled back the J&K special status and sliced the erstwhile state into two UTs—J&K and Ladakh. NC in its manifesto had promised to fight for the restoration of Statehood and special status.
Assembly has done its job: CM on Spl Status
SRINAGAR, Nov 6: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the Assembly has done its job after it passed a resolution seeking a dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives for the restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state.
The resolution, which also expressed “concern” over the “unilateral removal” of the special status, was passed without any debate as the Speaker put it to voice vote amidst noisy scenes.
“The assembly has done its job. I will only say this much,” a beaming Abdullah told reporters outside the assembly complex.
NC MLA and J-K’s deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution for restoring the special status of J-K, which was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019.
“That 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,” the resolution moved by Choudhary said.
This Assembly emphasizes that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the resolution added.
BJP members, including the Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, opposed the resolution, saying it was not part of the listed business.
“We reject the resolution. The Business given to us was that the discussion is on the Lieutenant governor’s address,” he said.
As the BJP members continued to raise slogans against the resolution, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said put it to voice vote and it was passed amidst the din.
As soon as the resolution was passed, the BJP members stormed the well of the House.
The Speaker then adjourned the House for 15 minutes.
However, after the House met again, it continued to witness a ruckus, forcing the speaker to adjourn it for an hour.
