Mubashir Alam Wani
Srinagar, Nov 4: The Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed uproarious scenes when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA, Waheed-Ur- Rehman Parra submitted a resolution against the reading down of the Article 370 and other constitutional changes effected by the Union Government in 2019.
After the election of National Conference’s Abdul Rahim Rather as Speaker, Parra handed over the resolution to a security guard deployed in the House, signaling him to hand it over to the Speaker.
The resolution opposed the scrapping of J&K’s special status and called for restoration of special status and all constitutional guarantees granted to the people of J&K.
“Sir, I congratulate you on being elected as the Speaker of the House. We will learn much from your experience. Today, I have a resolution on behalf of my party that I wish to submit before you. The resolution calls for the restoration of Article 370,” Parra said and read out the resolution that states, “With utmost respect, we request that the resolution attached here as ‘A’ be taken for discussion. Although the agenda for the House has been finalized. We believe that your authority as speaker allows the inclusion of this resolution as it reflects the sentiment of people at large.”
Parra further said that “We trust you will give this matter due consideration in view of its significance to the public sentiment.” The copy of the resolution signed by three PDP MLAs that include Parra, MLA Kupwara Mir Muhammad Fayaz, and MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmed Naik reads: “This House opposes the revocation of special status of J&K and constitutional disempowerment of J&K through the J&K Re-Organisation Act 2019 and calls for its complete rescinding. House further resolves to strive for restoration of special status and all constitutional guarantees granted to J&K in their original, pristine form.”
While Parra was reading out the resolution, BJP members stood up to oppose it. Led by the BJP LoP Sunil Sharma, the BJP legislators demanded “trashing” the Parra’s resolution. They shouted there was no scope for it in the Legislative Assembly.
The Speaker tried to pacify the agitating BJP legislators, but they continued with their protests and demanded dismissal of the resolution.
In the meanwhile, Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone signaled other opposition members from Kashmir to stand up in support of the resolution.
Soon other opposition members from Kashmir including Mir Muhammad Fayaz, Sheikh Khursheed, Rafiq Ahmad Naik and Shabir Kulley were on their feet, countering BJP and NC MLAs.
Amid continued protests in the House, the Speaker said that he will examine the matter and decide accordingly.
“I have not yet seen this copy. Let me review it and examine it. If you (MLAs) have decided not to let this House function, then I have nothing more to add,” he said and warned the first-time legislators to maintain discipline. “I will not allow this (chaos). Mind it….,” the Speaker said.
Amid commotion in the House, NC members also exchanged heated arguments with BJP legislators, accusing them of disrupting proceedings of the House.
In the meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah intervened and accused PDP of playing politics.
He said the resolution was introduced just ‘for the cameras’ and has no significance.
“Some members will have no option but to play politics,” he said, adding that the House reflects the sentiments of people of J&K.
“The truth is that the people have not approved the decision of August 5, 2019,” Omar said.
