This is a representational image SRINAGAR: The J&K assembly resembled a fight club Thursday as BJP MLAs clashed with marshals after speaker Abdul Rahim Rather ordered the eviction of opposition members who were protesting the passage of a resolution on restoring the former state’s special status — revoked in 2019 with the abrogation of Article 370 . The commotion began when independent MLA Sheikh Khursheed of jailed Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party displayed a banner advocating for Article 370 and 35A. BJP lawmakers stormed the well and tore the banner.
The speaker briefly adjourned the House, but the BJP members continued their protest, refusing to heed calls for order. Upon resuming, leader of opposition Sunil Sharma of BJP opposed the assembly passing Wednesday the resolution — calling it a “drama”. This fuelled dissent among members in the treasury bench.
Slogans filled the House as BJP MLAs chanted in support of Kashmir's integration with India: “Balidaan huway jahan Mukerjee woh Kashmir hamara hai.” National Conference (NC) members retorted by emphasising their allegiance to J&K: “Jis Kashmir ko khoon say seencha, woh Kashmir hamara hai.” CM Omar Abdullah looked grim and watched the yelling match silently.
As tempers flared, speaker Rather directed marshals to remove BJP members, resulting in physical altercations. BJP MLA Shagun Parihar’s protest by standing on a table led woman marshals to intervene, intensifying the ruckus. Eve.