Pandemonium in Assembly over CM’s remarks against BJP lawmakers

Jammu, Feb 11: Uproarious scenes were witnessed in the Legislative Assembly for the second consecutive day on Wednesday over remarks made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah against BJP lawmakers.
As the House assembled in the morning, BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma said the words used by the CM were unparliamentary and that they would leave it to his conscience whether he would withdraw his remarks.
“What happened in the House yesterday has no precedent. The language used by the Hon’ble CM is not parliamentary. The treasury benches are hostile to us. I want to ask the Leader of the House whether he will withdraw his remarks. We leave it to his conscience to decide,” Sharma said.
As BJP legislators stood up, Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakeena Itoo accused the opposition of using indecent language against the treasury benches.
“The opposition has been using unparliamentary language. The Deputy CM was told, ‘Aap apni shakal dekho.’ We have directions not to disrupt the opposition,” she said.
“You don’t want to listen-this is your biggest problem. You should also check what comments were made by the opposition,” Sakeena told the lawmakers.
Amid a heated exchange of arguments between the two sides, Sham Lal Sharma was interrupted by the Deputy CM, who said, “Don’t teach us.” In a fit of rage, Sham asked him to take his hands out of his pockets.
BJP’s Balwant Singh Mankotia accused the CM of making remarks collectively against BJP lawmakers.
“He has made these remarks collectively against us. Is it not inappropriate?” he asked.
NC’s Aijaz Jan hit back, saying the BJP had used defamatory and derogatory language against the 20 lakh people of Pir Panchal.
As BJP continued with its demand, Sakeena Itoo accused them of attempting to ruin the careers of students enrolled in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Sciences (SMVDIME).
“You tried to ruin the careers of 50 students who were enrolled at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Sciences. You should apologise to them. You should also apologise to the people of the Pir Panchal region,” she said.
As BJP legislators continued with protests, NC’s Nazir Gurezi told them that the CM wanted to put forth his views on the comments but wasn’t allowed to do so.
The Speaker repeatedly requested the opposition to allow the House to function.
“The Chief Minister is not present, and I cannot speak on his behalf. When he comes, if he wishes to speak, he will do so. Please allow the Question Hour to proceed. I have the authority and can use it, but I request you to let the proceedings continue,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition, Sunil Sharma, said the Speaker should assure them that the Chief Minister would clarify whether the language used by him was appropriate.
“We want the House to function. Running the House is the responsibility of the ruling party and the Speaker. In the history of the Assembly, the words used here yesterday have never been used before. Was the language used by the Chief Minister appropriate? The Speaker should assure us whether the Chief Minister will respond. The public has been embarrassed. This is a question concerning the whole of Jammu and Kashmir,” Sharma said.
Addressing the Speaker, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “If you feel that some words used were inappropriate, you can remove them from the record. We have no objection.”
Sharma responded, saying those words would be excluded automatically. “At least acknowledge those words were insulting,” Sharma said.
At 10:30 a.m., the BJP MLAs staged a walkout from the House.
They returned at 11:00 a.m. However, as soon as they came back, the Chief Minister walked out, triggering heated arguments between the two sides. They then stormed into the well of the House and continued raising slogans against the government. (KNO)