By Majid Jahangir
Srinagar, Nov 6 (UNI) Amid high drama and protest by the BJP, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution for the restoration of its special status.
The resolution called upon the Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of the people of J&K for restoration of special status, constitutional guarantees and to workout constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions.
High drama unfolded in the Assembly in the morning after Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution for restoration of special status which was supported by Minister for Education and Health Sakina Masood.
The draft of the resolution was cleverly drafted and there was no mention of Article 370 or August 5, 2019- when J&K’s special status was scrapped.
“That This Legislative 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 their unilateral removal,” the resolution said.
It added that this Assembly calls upon the Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of people of Jammu and Kashmir for restoration of special status, constitutional guarantees and to workout constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions.
“This Assembly emphasises that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the resolution concluded.
And when this resolution was moved, BJP legislators stood up and protested. There was pandemonium and the BJP shouted slogans saying that Kashmir belongs to them.
They also chanted religious slogans. Then some of them jumped into the well of the House, charging at the Speaker, asking them to withdraw the resolution.
Some of them shouted slogans against the Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.
The National Conference legislators also moved out of their seats and shouted slogans in favour of the resolution. Chaos was witnessed in the Assembly.
In the meantime, other MLAs from Peoples Democratic Party, and lone member of People’s Conference, Aam Aadmi Party and several Independent members joined the NC members, voicing support for the resolution. The six Congress members remained mostly silent when the pandemonium broke out.
As the BJP legislators didn’t allow a discussion on the resolution moved by the deputy CM, Abdul Rahim Rather warned that he would put the resolution to vote. The BJP continued to protest and the Speaker then put the resolution to voice vote, following which it was passed. The BJP legislators jumped into the well and shouted slogans.
Soon after, the Speaker adjourned the house.
When the House resumed business, the BJP again raised slogans against the Speaker and Kashmir based parties for bringing this resolution.
The BJP legislators raised slogans that the “Pakistani agenda will not be accepted.”
BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition, Sunil Sharma, accused the Speaker of calling a meeting with Ministers the previous day to personally draft a resolution.
In response, Rather urged the protesting BJP members to take their seats, firmly stating, “enough is enough.”
Amid the ensuing commotion, the Speaker decided to adjourn the proceedings for another hour.
When the house met again, the BJP continued with the protest. They raised slogans against the Speaker and asked him to “take back illegal resolution”.
“If you don’t have confidence in me, bring a no confidence motion,” the Speaker dared the BJP members, and adjourned thehHouse till Thursday.
J&K lost its special status on August 5, 2019, when the BJP -led central government revoked Article 370. The former state was divided into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The abrogation of special status was legally contested, and in December last year, the Supreme Court upheld the revocation, deeming Article 370 a “temporary” provision.
The passing of resolution triggered a political storm in Jammu and Kashmir and except BJP all supported the move.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the Assembly has done its job with the passing of resolution.
BJP LoP Sharma termed the resolution as “illegal’, “unconstitutional” and without any validity and sanctity.
“This assembly is not above the Parliament and the Supreme Court of India. The ruling party has flouted the law and damaged the image of the Speaker post,” Sharma said, adding that no one can bring Article 370 back.
J&K Congress President Tariq Karra said this is the first democratic expression of the people of J&K reflecting the aspirations of the people.
“There should be no reason for the Central Government to deny rights and protection to the people of J&K that are already in vogue in many other parts of the country. INC is committed to fight for statehood to J&K and safeguarding the rights of its people to land, jobs, natural resources and its unique cultural identity,” he said.
Former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti termed the resolution passed as an “ambivalent move and a half hearted approach”, stating her party will strive for complete restoration of August 4, 2019 position in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Instead of making it negotiable, House must resolve to restore Article 370 and 35A in their original form,” she said.
Peoples Conference Chairman and MLA Sajad Lone said he is happy that the resolution was passed.
“Today the decision taken on August 5, 2019 have been rejected by the people of J&K,” he said.
