The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has been gripped by intense confrontations, as members clash over a resolution to restore Article 370, which previously granted special status to the region. This volatile issue has sparked two consecutive days of chaotic scenes, marked by verbal sparring, banner displays, and even physical altercations between opposing MLAs. People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para set off a firestorm on the first day of the session by submitting a resolution demanding the restoration of Article 370 and the associated special status of Jammu and Kashmir, a move that quickly drew the ire of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs.
The session took a dramatic turn on Thursday when Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, the brother of jailed MP Engineer Rashid from Baramulla, displayed a banner advocating for the reinstatement of Article 370. This act intensified emotions on the Assembly floor, with opposing MLAs exchanging heated words. By Friday, tensions had only grown when a PDP MLA from Kupwara showed a similar banner, igniting an immediate response from BJP members who countered with chants of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" in an assertive show of patriotism. The brawl that ensued underscored the deep divisions within the Assembly on this emotionally charged issue.
Waheed Para’s resolution, though not originally on the session’s agenda, urged the Assembly to re-evaluate the 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status and special privileges. Representing Pulwama, Para argued that the resolution mirrored the sentiments of a significant portion of the population and appealed to Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to exercise his authority by allowing a discussion on the matter. He emphasized that addressing the call for Article 370’s restoration could be a step toward reconciliation and understanding within the Union Territory.
The Speaker, however, faced a tough decision, balancing the finalized agenda of the House with the demand for a debate on an issue of such high sensitivity and significance. Shortly after Para’s submission, all 28 BJP MLAs stood up in unison to vocally oppose the resolution. Their opposition reflects the party’s staunch stance against revisiting the abrogation of Article 370, which it considers a cornerstone of national integration policy. The BJP members view any discussion on reversing the decision as a backward step that could hinder the progress and full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India.
The BJP's objections, as well as its show of unity, underscore the ideological chasm that exists within the Assembly regarding Jammu and Kashmir’s future. The session has thus far been dominated by this contentious issue, overshadowing other legislative business. As the five-day session unfolds, the Assembly is likely to continue witnessing fierce debates, with emotions running high on both sides. The unresolved matter of Article 370’s status remains a focal point not only in the Assembly but across Jammu and Kashmir, with potential ramifications for the region's political landscape and its relations with the central government.
As the situation intensifies, political observers are keenly watching the proceedings, as any decision or extended discussion on the topic could have lasting implications for the territory's governance, social harmony, and regional stability.
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