JAMMU, Feb 17: BJP legislator Vikram Randhawa on Tuesday clarified in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that his earlier remarks on alleged encroachments on Jammu Development Authority (JDA) land were not directed against any community, following uproar and slogan-shouting by Congress and an Independent MLA.
The House witnessed chaotic scenes for nearly half an hour after Question Hour as Congress MLAs Irfan Hafiz Lone and Iftikhar Ahmad, along with Independent MLA Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad, demanded an apology from Randhawa over his February 13 statement that 90 per cent of encroachers on 688 kanals of JDA land in his Bahu constituency were from Kashmir.
Members displayed placards reading “Chor Machaaye Shor” and accused Randhawa of defaming Kashmiri Muslims, with PDP and National Conference legislators extending support. The agitating MLAs also attempted to enter the Well of the House but were stopped by marshals.
Intervening in the matter, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and senior BJP leader Sham Lal Sharma urged order, after which Randhawa stated that his concern was limited to certain individuals in his constituency and not any community.
“If, in my words, it is proven that I have opposed or insulted any particular community, I am willing to withdraw those words,” he said.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said Randhawa had clarified his intent and assured appropriate action, including expunging any unparliamentary remarks.
Earlier, the House paid tributes to former minister Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah and former MLC Brij Mohan Sharma, observing a two-minute silence in their memory. (Agencies)
