Srinagar, September 28, 2026 : The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed intense disruption on Monday as BJP members protested a resolution seeking the urgent restoration of statehood, with several MLAs entering the well of the House, tearing business papers and staging mock proceedings.
The uproar followed an opposition motion seeking the removal of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, with BJP members questioning the Speaker’s decision to allow a resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday.
The BJP argued that references to autonomy and special status in the resolution were contrary to the Constitution and said it would oppose any discussion or passage of the resolution.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP supports restoration of statehood but objected to the wording and constitutional aspects of the resolution. He said the party did not want to oppose issues merely for the sake of opposition but maintained that the resolution was unacceptable in its present form.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary, meanwhile, questioned the delay in restoring J&K’s statehood and referred to commitments made by the Centre and before Parliament and the Supreme Court.
When Chaudhary urged the Speaker to put the BJP’s motion to a vote, BJP members moved into the well of the House. Several MLAs tore business papers and raised slogans during the protest.
BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma subsequently conducted mock proceedings in the well, while other party MLAs sat on the floor.
Minister Sakina Ittoo criticised the BJP protest, accusing its members of creating a spectacle inside the House.
The confrontation brought the Assembly proceedings to a standstill amid sharp exchanges over statehood, constitutional provisions, the Speaker’s authority and the conduct of legislative business.
