Protests rock J&K Assembly over US-Israel attack on Iran

Jammu, Mar 27: Massive protests rocked the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly on Friday as legislators from the National Conference and other parties staged demonstrations against the US-Israel attack on Iran and the killing of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
As soon as proceedings began, NC and Congress MLAs were on their feet, protesting what they described as US-Israel aggression against Iran. Waving portraits of Ayatollah Khamenei and wearing black headbands and armbands inscribed with his name, the MLAs resorted to pro-Iran, anti-Israel and anti-US sloganeering.
Shouting slogans such as “Iran Zindabad,” “Israel Murdabad” and “America Murdabad,” NC MLAs Tanvir Sadiq and Hilal Akbar Lone, along with PDP MLA Muntazir Mehdi, climbed onto chairs to amplify their protest.
Amid the commotion, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather repeatedly appealed to the members to return to their seats, but they continued with their demonstrations.
NC MLA Nazir Gurezi demanded that the Leader of the House make a statement on the issue.
During the protests, BJP MLA Arvind Gupta snatched a poster that was being repeatedly waved by Wagoora- Kreeri MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone and tore it into pieces, angering Lone. In retaliation, Lone rushed toward the BJP members seated in the last row and raised slogans, leading to a sharp exchange with BJP MLA Yudvir Sethi.
“Rahul Gandhi is Pappu,” Sethi shouted at Lone.
As the two came close to exchanging blows, Assembly marshals stepped in and separated them, preventing the situation from taking an ugly turn.
As the chaos continued in the House, the Speaker adjourned the House for 30 minutes.
After the proceedings resumed, NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq said they would end their protest if the Leader of the House spoke about the barbarity unleashed on Iran and Khamenei.
However, CM Omar Abdullah said there was no unanimity over the issue and that it would not be appropriate to speak on behalf of the House if there was opposition to it.
“I have been asked to speak on behalf of the House on the matter. As far as I can gauge mood of the House, there is no unanimity on the issue. It would not be appropriate to speak on behalf of the House if there is going to be opposition to it,” Omar said.
BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma argued that the matter could not be discussed as it was an international issue.
“This matter falls within domain of the Government of India. The domain of this House doesn’t extend beyond Lakhanpur,” he said.
Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat countered, saying the matter could be discussed as it was an issue of humanity.
MLA Baramulla Javid Hussain Baig also countered BJP MLA, saying that they shouldn’t view every issue through the prism of religion.
“Did you condemn the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh?” BJP MLA Surjit Singh Salathia asked NC MLAs.
Independent MLA Muzaffar Ahmad Khan said the House can discuss the issue as it was not prohibited by the rules.
Countering NC MLAs, BJP MLA R.S. Pathania said the House cannot pass a resolution on the issue, which was primarily a concern of the Government of India.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather responded: “We are not passing any resolution. You are saying the Government of India has condemned it – what is the problem if this House condemns it? We should have no objection if the Chief Minister speaks for two minutes on the matter.”
Normalcy was restored in the House following CM Omar Abdullah’s remarks on the attack on Iran and the killing of Khamenei. (KNO)