Srinagar, Sep 28: BJP members staged a sit-in in the Well of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday, intensifying the confrontation with the ruling benches over the language and contents of the resolution seeking restoration of statehood.
The BJP legislators continued their protest inside the Well even as proceedings of the House were underway, with senior party leader and MLA Shamlal Sharma addressing the protesting members.
The sit-in created the appearance of a “parallel Assembly” inside the House, as BJP legislators continued their protest while the Speaker and other members remained engaged with the listed business.
The protest followed a heated exchange earlier in the day after Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma objected to the wording of the statehood resolution, saying that while restoration of statehood was also on the BJP’s agenda, the language used in the resolution was “unacceptable” and contrary to the Constitution of India.
Sharma also referred to the autonomy resolution passed by the Assembly in 2000, saying it had been “thrown in the dustbin” when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was with the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary responded by reminding the BJP that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Not only J&K, but half of India is living along the border. So, under the guise of the border, should we stop demanding statehood?” Choudhary asked.
His remarks triggered further uproar, following which BJP members moved into the Well and began their sit-in protest.
The developments came amid heightened tensions in the House, with the BJP also moving a no-confidence motion against Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather earlier in the day.
Rather said the motion would be listed in the business of the House and processed according to the rules and procedure.
The Assembly is scheduled to take up the statehood resolution for discussion, with the BJP’s objections to its language and references to previous Assembly resolutions expected to remain central to the debate.
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