J&K’s first Assembly session in 6 years: Ruckus in session after PDP MLA moves resolution against Article 370 abrogation

Only for cameras, says CM; BJP stage protest, Sajad Lone extends support

SRINAGAR: The first session of Jammu and Kashmir assembly in Srinagar on Monday witnessed uproar and chaos after the Member of Legislative from Pulwama Waheed Para moved a resolution opposing the abrogation of Article 370 and called for restoring the union territory's special status.
The assembly which commenced after a gap of six years began with the election of speaker. National Conference (NC) leader and seven times MLA from Charar-e-Sharief Abdul Rahim Rather was, on Monday, unanimously elected as first speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
He was elected as Speaker of the House after Minister for Agriculture Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative, and Election, Javed Ahmad Dar, moved a motion nominating Abdul Rahim Rather for the post of Speaker.
Later leader of the house Omar Abdullah, leader of opposition MLA Sunil Sharma, MLA G.A. Mir, MLA Sajad Lone and MLA Waheed Para gave a brief speech.
However, while delivering the speech, Para, who represents the Pulwama Assembly seat, submitted the resolution to newly-elected Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather and requested a discussion on the matter during the five-day session, despite not being a part of the agenda.
"Keeping the sentiments of the people of J&K in mind, this House opposes the revocation of the special status (of Jammu and Kashmir)," Para said as he moved the resolution. Soon as the Para handed over the resolution, BJP MLAs, all 28 of whom stood up to oppose the move and staged the protest.
BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma demanded Para's suspension for bringing the resolution in violation of assembly rules. Rather repeatedly requested the protesting members to take their seats but in vain. He said the resolution has not come to him yet and when it does, he will examine it.
With the BJP members refusing to budge, NC MLAs lashed out at them for interrupting the proceedings of the House. Amid the din, NC MLA Shabir Kullay rushed into the well.
The BJP members relented after Rather pointed out that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha would be addressing the House.
Chief Minister and Leader of the House Omar Abdullah said,“We knew that preparation for this was being made by a member…The reality is that the people of J&K do not approve of the decision taken on 5th August 2019. If they had approved, then the results today would have been different. How the House will reflect and discuss this will not be decided by any one member. The resolution brought today has no importance but it is only for the cameras. If there was a purpose behind it, then they would have discussed this with us before.”
"This assembly reflects the sentiments of the people of J&K. The truth is that the people have not validated the decisions of August 5, 2019. Had that been the case, the results (of the assembly elections) would have been different.
"However, how to raise the issue and bring it on record will not be decided by one MLA. The resolution brought today has no value other than (that) it was done for the cameras," he said.
"In the coming days, we will bring a proposal in consultation with you (speaker)," he said, requesting the Chair to adjourn the House till the LG's address.
Omar Abdullah also said that the resolution on Article 370 introduced by the Waheed Para in Assembly has no importance and is for cameras only. “The resolution brought today has no importance but it is only for the cameras. If there was a purpose behind it, then they would have discussed this with us before”, he added.
The House then witnessed noisy scenes again between members of NC, PDP, People's Conference (PC) and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP).
MLA Langate Khurshid Ahmad kept shouting that he was not given allowed to speak.
Mr. Speaker you allowed me to speak; now I have been denied which is not right. I should be allowed to speak like other members, Khurshid kept shouting.
"I request new members to learn the rules. You have violated them on the very first day. I will not allow it, mind it," the speaker said before adjourning the House till 11.30 am. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said she was "proud" of Waheed Para for submitting the resolution.
"Proud of Waheed Parra for introducing resolution in JK Assembly opposing the revocation of Article 370 and resolve to restore the special status. God bless you," she tweeted.
In the meantime, Sajad Lone got up and started supporting the MLA Waheed Para over his submission of resolution on Article 370.