Awami Ittehad Party MLA Sheikh Khurshid being marshalled out during a ruckus after BJP members protested over the special status resolution in J-K Assembly, in Srinagar, Friday, Nov 8, 2024.
Credit: PTI Photo
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed further chaos for the third consecutive day, as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs clashed with fellow members over a provocative banner carried by Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) MLA Sheikh Khursheed.
The disruption unfolded as the House proceedings began, with Speaker Rahim Rather directing ruling National Conference (NC) legislator Javaid Baig to speak on a Motion of Thanks.
However, opposition members from BJP, People's Conference (PC), Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and AIP quickly escalated tensions, shouting at each other over the resolution regarding the abrogation and potential restoration of Article 370, a matter that had been raised earlier in the week by PDP leader Sajad Lone and Khursheed.
The situation mirrored Thursday’s uproar, as Khursheed, the brother of jailed MP Engineer Rashid, once again raised a banner calling for the restoration of Article 370 and 35A and the release of political prisoners. The provocative act led to a physical altercation, with BJP MLAs manhandling Khursheed before he was forcibly removed from the Assembly by marshals.
On Thursday, a scuffle had broken out in the Assembly after Khurshid brought a banner saying, “we demand restoration of Article 370 and 35A and the release of political prisoners.”
Amid the ruckus, a resolution seeking a dialogue for “restoration of special status and constitutional guarantees” to the Union Territory was passed on Wednesday. The resolution was passed by a voice vote, with all parties barring the BJP supporting it.