Srinagar, 8 November (Yugvarta) : The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was again engulfed in chaos for a third consecutive day as a resolution advocating the reinstatement of special status sparked heated exchanges, physical altercations, and an eventual BJP walkout. The uproar began on Wednesday when the National Conference (NC) introduced the resolution, calling for the return of Articles 370 and 35A. BJP legislators branded the resolution as “illegal” and demanded its withdrawal, which Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather declined, stating that the House held the authority to address any resolutions passed.

Tensions flared during BJP Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma’s speech when Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Sheikh Khursheed held a banner calling for Articles 370 and 35A’s reinstatement. BJP legislators responded by tearing the banner, sparking a brief scuffle that led to a 15-minute adjournment. Once the session resumed, BJP members continued their protest despite the Speaker’s warnings, chanting slogans honoring Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, countered by NC members chanting for Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy.

The situation escalated when Speaker Rather ordered the removal of several BJP members, leading to physical confrontations with marshals as three BJP MLAs were escorted out, drawing applause from the treasury benches.

In his remarks, Minister Satish Sharma condemned the BJP’s actions, alleging divisive tactics and accusing BJP MLAs of “disrespecting the Constitution” by reportedly standing on it during their protest. PDP, People’s Conference, and AIP MLAs then submitted a fresh resolution, led by PDP’s Waheed Para and Fayaz Mir, and People’s Conference’s Sajad Lone, denouncing the 2019 abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A as “unconstitutional” and a “violation of foundational guarantees.”

Sajad Lone separately accused the NC of playing a “fixed match” with the BJP, asserting that the NC’s initial resolution did not adequately condemn the abrogation. BJP MLA RS Pathania, however, labeled the regional parties’ actions as an assault on the Assembly’s integrity, insisting the abrogation was a “settled matter.”