A heated debate over Article 370 in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Thursday escalated into a full-blown brawl among MLAs, resulting in the session being temporarily adjourned. The clash broke out after Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, brother of Awami Ittehad Party MLA Engineer Rashid, unfurled a banner supporting Article 370. This action immediately drew objections from Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma, sparking an intense confrontation that quickly turned physical as MLAs threw punches.
BJP state chief Ravinder Raina reacted strongly to the incident, accusing the National Conference (NC) and Congress of ?harbouring anti-India sentiments.? In a sharp rebuke, he said, "Congress ka hath Pakistan ke sath, Congress ke hath terrorists ke sath," suggesting that Congress was aligning itself with anti-national forces.
The Assembly?s marshals had to step in to separate the fighting lawmakers, forcibly escorting several BJP members from the floor. Amidst claims from BJP leaders that the Speaker was biased towards Sheikh and his supporters, the session briefly resumed only to be adjourned until the next day after continued unrest.
Previous Tensions Over Article 370 Debate
The scuffle followed an earlier commotion on Wednesday, when J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary introduced a resolution calling for the restoration of Article 370, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir until it was revoked on August 5, 2019. The motion triggered a strong reaction from BJP members, who tore up copies of the resolution and threw the fragments into the well of the Assembly. Sheikh Khurshid attempted to join the fray but was restrained by marshals, while NC members vocally demanded that the resolution be passed.
With the issue of Article 370 reigniting passions across the Assembly floor, both sides remain staunch in their positions. BJP leaders contend that calls to restore Article 370 are a betrayal of national integrity, while opposition members argue it is essential for Jammu and Kashmir?s identity and autonomy.
As the Assembly reconvenes tomorrow, the debate over Article 370 appears far from over, with deep political divides shaping the discourse around the region?s autonomy and future.
