Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Nov 6: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a historic resolution seeking restoration of special status and constitutional guarantees amid massive protest by the opposition BJP.
The resolution was passed with the support from three PDP legislators, two independent MLAs and Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone.
The third day of J&K Assembly witnessed uproar after the deputy chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved a resolution seeking restoration of Article 370 which was passed with majority vote in the Assembly.
Soon after the Assembly met for day three, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on behalf of the government, moved a resolution that read: “This Assembly reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and expresses concern over the unilateral removal.”
The resolution further read that, “This assembly calls upon the Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of people of J&K for restoration of special status, constitutional guarantees and to work out the constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions.”
It also read that this Assembly emphasises that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of J&K. The motion was seconded by senior NC leader and Health Minister Sakina Itoo.
The move evoked sharp criticism from the BJP leader and LoP Sunil Sharma and other BJP leaders who questioned change in the business. “When business was about discussion on LG’s address, how resolution,” he said. Independent MLAs Sheikh Khursheed and Shabir Kullay, PC chief Sajad Lone supported the resolution besides three PDP legislators.
The Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather put the resolution to vote which was passed with the majority. The BJP continued the protests in the house forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for 15 minutes.
On August 5, 2019, Centre had rolled back the J&K special status and sliced the erstwhile state into two UTs—J&K and Ladakh.
NC in its manifesto had promised to fight for the restoration of Statehood and special status.
Soon after the resolution was passed, as BJP legislators created an uproar by storming into the well of the House, the Speaker first adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House met again, BJP leaders continued to remain in the Well of the House and refused to settle down despite repeated requests by the Speaker, who again adjourned the House for one hour. And when the House met again, the BJP leaders termed the NC as anti-national and pro-Pakistan.
The opposition camp led by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma called the resolution as “cheating” stating that when business was discussion on LG’s address how come resolution was brought in the House.
As BJP intensified the protest, the Speaker adjourned the house third time till tomorrow (Thursday).
