Srinagar, Monday: The opening day of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly saw intense scenes after PDP MLA Waheed ur Rehman Para introduced a resolution seeking the restoration of Article 370, which had granted special status to the region until its revocation in 2019.
Para, in his address, congratulated Speaker Rather on his election before submitting the resolution, stating, “Sir, I have a resolution on behalf of my party that I want to submit before you. The resolution calls for the restoration of Article 370.” His statement prompted an immediate backlash from BJP members, who demanded the resolution be dismissed.
The session quickly escalated into disorder, with BJP MLAs loudly opposing the move. Speaker Rather attempted to restore order, assuring members, “This is my domain, let me examine this and accordingly I will decide on the resolution.” However, the assurance did little to pacify the BJP camp, which insisted on an immediate rejection of the proposal.
BJP Leader of Opposition Sharma voiced frustration with the timing of the resolution, saying, “This is not done on the first day.” Speaker Rather, in response, emphasized, “I have not seen this copy yet. Let me go through it and examine it. If you [BJP] have decided not to allow this house to run, then I can’t say anything.”
Despite Speaker Rather’s attempts to mediate, the ruckus continued as BJP MLAs refused to sit and demanded immediate dismissal of the resolution. Meanwhile, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti publicly supported Para’s initiative, extending congratulations on his efforts to bring the resolution forward.
The disruption marks a contentious start to the Assembly’s session, underscoring the sharp divisions within the legislative body on the issue of Article 370.
