SRINAGAR: In a dramatic turn of events at the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)—Sajad Lone (Handwara), Waheed Para (Pulwama), Sheikh Khursheed (Langate), and Mir Mohammad Fayaz (Kupwara)—attempted to introduce a resolution demanding the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. However, their efforts were thwarted as BJP MLAs disrupted the proceedings from the start of the session, creating a ruckus and refusing to allow the House to proceed.
The MLAs’ proposed resolution aimed to condemn the 2019 abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood, expressing strong opposition to the constitutional changes enacted under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. The resolution also called for the immediate restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, which granted special rights to the region.
Waheed Para, a key signatory, remarked that the resolution was attempted to introduced to counter a previous “weak and compromised” motion that he claimed indirectly ratified the 2019 decision. “In light of the weak and compromised resolution, we sought to submit a fresh one for the House’s consideration,” Para said, reiterating the need for the restoration of the original constitutional provisions of Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite their efforts, BJP MLAs’ protests effectively prevented the introduction of the resolution. The continued disruption forced Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to adjourn the Assembly until tomorrow, leaving the proposed resolution in limbo.
Meanwhile, the National Conference (NC) had already submitted a separate resolution to the Chief Secretary, which seeks dialogue with the Government of India for a potential restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. However, this resolution avoids explicitly condemning the 2019 abrogation, signaling a more cautious approach compared to the new attempt by Lone, Para, and their colleagues. (KDC)
