Srinagar, Oct 23 (JKNS): The opening day of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly session began on a somber note with obituary references but soon turned tense amid political clashes, protests, and emotional appeals from lawmakers across party lines.
As per news agency JKNS, The day’s proceedings commenced with tributes to several former legislators and public figures, including Satya Pal Malik (former Governor), Gulchain Singh Charak, Dina Nath Bhagat, Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, Ramesh Arora, and Muhammad Akhlaq Khan.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who presided over the session, also expressed sharp disapproval of the Kupwara district administration for failing to inform the Assembly Secretariat about the death of former Langate MLA Muhammad Sultan Panditpori.
Calling the omission “an irresponsible attitude,” he directed the administration to ensure such lapses do not recur.
During the condolence proceedings, CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami’s remarks linking past political events with the present led to a sharp exchange with BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma, who objected, saying, “This is a condolence motion, not a lecture on history.”
The Speaker intervened, urging members to maintain decorum and focus on the tributes.
The session also witnessed an emotional intervention by Hon’ble MLA Poonch, Ajaz Ahmad Jan, who raised the issue of ongoing civilian killings in Palestine, especially the deaths of innocent children.
He urged the Speaker to include the matter in the day’s business, calling it a “humanitarian concern that transcends politics.”
However, tensions escalated again when BJP legislators staged a protest against National Conference (NC) MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri over his reference to the BJP as a “communal party.”
Veeri had praised former BJP MLC Ramesh Arora for his secular approach despite belonging to a “communal party.” The remark triggered strong objections from BJP members, led by Sham Lal Sharma, who called the statement “inappropriate during obituary tributes.” Speaker Rather intervened once again, cautioning all members to refrain from controversial remarks during condolence proceedings.
Meanwhile, NC legislators Tanvir Sadiq and Hilal Akbar Lone pressed the Speaker to allow a discussion on the continued detention of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
They argued that Malik’s incarceration deprived his constituency of representation in the House. The Speaker, however, declined the request, stating that the day’s business was limited to obituary references and that the issue could be raised at a more appropriate time.
The session also saw the participation of several opposition figures, including PC’s Sajad Gani Lone and CPI(M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, who paid their respects during the condolence proceedings.
The first day proceedings were underway with obituary references from other MLA’s as this report was being filled. (JKNS)
