Stormy JK Assembly Session
News Kashmir Analysis
The first session of historic Jammu and Kashmir Assembly 2024 was held in Srinagar from 4 November to 8 November, the 5 day session was no less than a political storm.
Noisy scenes, MLAs being Marshalled out, disturbances ,slogans all were witnessed during the session.
On First Day, Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha, in his address to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s first session on Monday (November 4, 2024), underscored the need for restoration of Statehood. On the other hand, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra’s move to bring a resolution, though against protocol, on revocation of Article 370 caused an uproar in the House.
While as THE Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Wednesday passed a resolution seeking a dialogue for “restoration of special status and constitutional guarantees” to the Union Territory and urging that “constitutional mechanisms” be worked out for the same. The resolution was passed by a voice vote, with all parties barring the BJP supporting it.
On Thursday 7 November, 2024 Chaotic scenes played out in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly early morning over the resolution seeking restoration of its special status under Article 370 of the Constitution. BJP MLAs clashed with the marshals after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather ordered that some of the protesting Opposition MLAs be removed from the House. A poster seeking restoration of Article 370 sparked another melee involving several MLAs, including J&K People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone.
The session was then adjourned.
It is worth mentioning here that Chaotic scenes were witnessed in J&K legislative assembly on the fifth and last working day with PDP, PC and AIP MLAs entering into a scuffle with BJP legislators.
Soon after the house convened friday morning, BJP legislators continued to make ruckus over the special status resolution passed by the assembly.
In his address, CM Omar Abdullah told the assembly that the words in the resolution were chosen carefully so that doors wouldn’t shut on them.
“We drafted this resolution carefully. What if we had brought a resolution that would have been rejected immediately? The PM and HM are now talking about our resolution. If it had no impact, they would have remained silent,”.
Also , Chief Minister Omar Abdullah opined After long time, I got opportunity to speak on L-G’s address; so much has changed, we lost a lot. He thanked LG Manoj Sinha for promising Statehood and hoped it would be fulfilled soon.
” I welcome investment in Jammu and Kashmir but we will not sell our crown Jewels, observed Omar Abdullah.
The first session of historic Assembly was noisy, controversial and marred by bitterness which is hoped to be avoided in future.
