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| Assembly session begins with uproar as BJP, NC, Cong trade barbs | | | Muskan Thakur
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 21: The opening day of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s autumn session on Monday witnessed unprecedented scenes of disorder, with both Opposition and ruling party members disrupting proceedings over a range of political and public issues.
The House departed from long-standing parliamentary convention by continuing with regular business after paying tributes to departed former legislators and ministers, instead of adjourning for the day. However, proceedings soon descended into chaos as BJP legislators launched a protest over the hike in electricity tariffs, delayed regularisation of daily wagers and National Health Mission (NHM) employees, and continued outsourcing in government recruitment.
The ruling National Conference (NC) countered by raising the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's full statehood, triggering a prolonged confrontation that brought the House to a standstill for nearly an hour.
As soon as Question Hour commenced, BJP members stormed into the Well of the House carrying placards and raising slogans against the government. Legislators demanded an immediate rollback of the power tariff hike and regularisation of employees awaiting confirmation of service. In a dramatic protest, BJP MLA Satish Sharma lay down on the floor of the House while several party members staged a sit-in before the Speaker's podium.
Amid the BJP protest, NC members responded with slogans demanding restoration of statehood, while CPI(M) legislator Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami also pressed for the issue. Congress legislators joined the offensive by targeting the BJP over the alleged paper leak controversy and other matters.
The situation turned increasingly tense as heated exchanges between members nearly escalated into a physical confrontation. Congress MLA Hafiz Lone and Independent legislator Shabbir Ahmed Kullay were involved in a verbal altercation with BJP members before marshals intervened to restore order.
Earlier, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather began proceedings with obituary references to former minister and senior NC leader Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, former minister Dharam Pal and former legislator Ghulam Hassan Khan. Members observed a two-minute silence in their memory.
Breaking with established practice, the House continued with Question Hour and legislative business immediately afterwards. The move reflected a suggestion made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the previous session that obituary references should not result in the loss of an entire working day, in line with parliamentary practices elsewhere.
Despite repeated appeals from the Speaker for members to return to their seats and raise issues through established parliamentary procedures, protesting legislators continued slogan-shouting and demonstrations inside the Well.
NC MLA Nazir Gurezi accused the BJP of disrupting the functioning of the Assembly and wasting the House's time. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary alleged that the Opposition was attempting to obstruct discussions on issues affecting the people.
“If they are sincere about the people of Jammu and Kashmir, they should listen to the government's answers. The government is ready to respond,” Choudhary said.
Despite the noisy scenes, the Assembly transacted key business. Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi tabled the report of the House committee that examined alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, while Agriculture and Cooperation Minister Javed Ahmed Dar introduced a bill seeking amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies Act, 1989.
Following the completion of listed business, Speaker Rather adjourned the House till 10 am on Tuesday. |
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