Ruckus Breaks in J&K Legislative Assembly; Engineer Rashid's Brother Displays Article 370 Banner

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed a ruckus today after Langte MLA Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, the brother of jailed Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid, displayed a banner on restoring Article 370.

The banner read, “We demand restoration of Article 370 and 35A. Release of political prisoners.”

The assembly proceedings also saw fist fights among the lawmakers as Awami Ittehad Party MLA stormed into the well of the House. This move invited objections from Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Sunil Sharma.

Meanwhile, a resolution was passed by opposition party MLAs, which included People's Conference leader Sajad Lone. The resolution condemned the abrogation of Article 370.

The resolution read, “This House strongly condemns the unconstitutional and unilateral abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, along with the enactment of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, by the Government of India. These actions stripped Jammu & Kashmir of its special status and statehood, undermining the foundational guarantees and protections originally accorded to the region and its people by the Constitution of India.”

Urging the centre to honour the region's unique identity and autonomy, opposition leaders demanded immediate restoration of Article 370 and 35A to their original form. They also requested the government to reverse the changes brought by the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

The MLA mentioned in the resolution saying, “This House unequivocally demands the immediate restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A in their original, unaltered form, and calls for the reversal of all changes introduced by the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. We further urge the Government of India to respect the constitutional and democratic sanctity of Jammu & Kashmir by reinstating all special provisions and guarantees intended to preserve its distinct identity, culture, and political autonomy.”