Ruckus in J&K Assembly as MLA demands restoration of Article 370, sparks fistfight among lawmakers

Intense clashes broke out in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after MLA Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, representing Langate and the Jammu and Kashmir Awami Ittehad Party, displayed a banner demanding the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A. Sheikh, the brother of jailed MP Engineer Rashid, held up the banner stating, “We demand restoration of Article 370 and 35A. Release of political prisoners,” which immediately sparked protests from BJP lawmakers, disrupting the Assembly proceedings.

As Sheikh stood in the well of the House, BJP leader Sunil Sharma raised objections and called on the Speaker to take disciplinary action. Ignoring calls to take his seat, Sheikh continued standing with the banner, prompting marshals to intervene and prevent him from advancing further. Tensions escalated as BJP leaders approached him, attempting to forcibly remove the banner, which led to a physical confrontation. The scuffle intensified when PDP MLA Waheed Para from Pulwama intervened to shield Sheikh, resulting in a chaotic scene that temporarily brought proceedings to a halt.

The incident brought renewed focus to the issue of Article 370 and Article 35A, which were abrogated in August 2019 as part of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status and reorganizing the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Previously, Article 370 had granted Jammu and Kashmir a degree of autonomy, while Article 35A provided special privileges to its residents, including exclusive property rights. The removal of these articles marked a major shift in the region’s governance, sparking controversy and opposition among political leaders in the region.

Following the altercation, opposition MLAs, led by People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone, introduced a formal resolution in the Assembly condemning the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A. The resolution called the 2019 revocation “unconstitutional and unilateral,” asserting that it violated Jammu and Kashmir’s historical legal rights and protections under the Indian Constitution. The resolution emphasized that the abrogation compromised the region’s unique identity, legal framework, and historical agreements with the Indian state, demanding their immediate restoration.

The resolution further urged the central government to reverse the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which led to the reorganization of the state and the detention of several political leaders and activists. The opposition MLAs insisted on the immediate release of political prisoners and the reinstatement of all special rights and protections originally granted to Jammu and Kashmir, aligning with the demands presented by Sheikh.