Scuffle in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly over display of Article 370 banner

MLAs grab each other’s collars in a heated exchange

MLA Khurshid Ahmed Shaikh hoisted a banner in the House to implement Article 370.

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) – On 7^th November, a scuffle erupted between ruling and opposition party MLAs in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, following the contentious approval of a proposal to restore Article 370 a day earlier on 6^th November. As tensions escalated, the Speaker temporarily suspended the Assembly session for 20 minutes.

Chaotic scenes in Jammu & Kashmir Assembly! 🚨

💥 MLAs clashed after Engineer Rashid’s brother showed Article 370 banner; BJP MLAs objected to the display followed by physical altercations and heated exchanges. 🤬🤬

This incident reveals that even after assembly elections were… https://t.co/qIEIYNXSZQ pic.twitter.com/93DFIIZgX9

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) November 7, 2024

During the session, MLA Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh unfurled a banner calling for the reinstatement of Article 370. The banner read, “We demand the reinstatement of Article 370 and 35A, and the release of all political prisoners.” This action was met with strong objections from BJP MLA and opposition leader Sunil Sharma, who attempted to snatch the banner from Sheikh, sparking slogans against him. In response, MLAs Sajjad Lone, Waheed Para, and several National Conference members intervened in support of Sheikh, leading to a physical altercation over the banner. Both sides grabbed each other’s collars in a struggle to seize control of the banner. As the situation intensified, security personnel intervened and escorted the BJP MLAs out of the Assembly.

Notably, MLA Khurshid Ahmed Sheikh who unfurled the banner is the brother of Engineer Rashid, an MP from Baramulla. Rashid had been arrested in 2016 on terrorism funding charges and was held in Tihar Jail since 2019 until he was granted bail ahead of the recent Assembly elections.

Editorial Perspective

This incident has again proved that even after Assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir, the MLAs elected by the local Muslim population continue to act with an anti-national mindset. Therefore, it would be appropriate for the Union Government to dissolve the Assembly and reimpose President’s Rule. If not today, this will eventually need to be done.