Four Opposition National Conference (NC) legislators were suspended on Tuesday for the autumn session after they turned violent in two Houses of Jammu & Kashmir legislature. The party in protest announced to boycott the entire session.
legislative Assembly members Altaf Wani and Majeed larmi and Upper House members Ali Muhammad Dar and Showkat Ganai were suspended by respective Presiding Officers after they turned violent amid strong protest by all Opposition members in both Houses. The Opposition was demanding adjournment of routine business to pave way for exclusive discussions on Article 35A, plight of daily-waged employees and Government’s alleged failure in rehabilitating victims of 2014 floods.
law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Basharat Bukhari said the Government was ready to discuss all matters of importance but declined to discuss Article 35A, which is closely related to Article 370 that guarantees special status to J&K within the Indian Constitution.
“The Article 35A cannot be discussed in the Assembly. It is already in the Supreme Court and our Government is committed to defend it”, Bukhari said.
The NC legislator Ali Muhammad Sagar alleged that PDP-BJP coalition was muzzling the voices of Opposition in J&K. “We have not come here with bombs and grenades. We want to discuss issues within the ambit of Constitution of India but the Government is choking our voice”, Sagar said and warned that such attitude would have dangerous consequences.
The Congress legislator GM Saroori accused the Government of paying no heed to daily-wagers and contractual employees who are on a protest hunger strike for several weeks.
The Speaker ignored the joint protest and continued question hour proceedings even as the members occupied well of the House, tore off papers and engaged in brawl with the assembly staff.