Proceedings in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly were disrupted on Saturday after a sharp confrontation erupted between members of the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional position.
Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma said there is no mention of any “special status” for Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian Constitution and accused the National Conference (NC) of misleading people by repeatedly raising the issue. Speaking in the Assembly, Sharma said that constitutional demands must be backed by explicit constitutional provisions. “As far as I know and have studied, there is no word called ‘special status’ in the Indian Constitution in relation to Jammu and Kashmir’s accession or merger. When you make a constitutional demand, it must have a constitutional basis,” he said.
Sharma argued that the term “special status” is used loosely by several states to seek economic or employment-related packages and should not be linked to Article 370. “Special status can mean an employment package or a financial package.Do not connect it with Article 370. Article 370 is history and has been buried,” he said.Referring to sloganeering by an NC MLA in the House, Sharma asked where such a status exists in the Constitution. “If anyone can show me where the Constitution mentions a special status for J&K, I am ready to face any punishment. But this claim is a lie,” he said.
The BJP leader accused the Abdullah family of deceiving the people of Kashmir and using the demand for special status to cover up governance failures. He alleged that the issue was being raised to legitimise past electoral promises.Sharma further said that instead of addressing concerns of daily wagers, unemployed youth and beneficiaries under AAY, DPL and EWS categories, the ruling party was resorting to rhetoric. “When questioned on failures, they raise the bogey of special status,” he said.
The uproar began when NC MLA Javid Baig raised the subject during his intervention, reiterating his party’s long-standing demand for the restoration of the constitutional provisions that governed Jammu and Kashmir prior to August 2019. His remarks immediately drew strong objections from BJP legislators, leading to loud protests in the House.
Sharma’s comments triggered a reaction from NC members, who raised slogans in support of Article 370 and accused the BJP of undermining the historical and political identity of Jammu and Kashmir. BJP MLAs responded with counter-slogans, resulting in disorder and forcing several interruptions in the proceedings.The Speaker intervened repeatedly, urging members from both sides to maintain decorum and allow the House to function. After a brief suspension-like atmosphere, order was partially restored and legislative business resumed.
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