Has no purpose: Omar on PDP’s resolution on Art 370
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, convened for the first time in six years on Monday, witnessed a storm after PDP legislator Waheed Para proposed a resolution opposing the abrogation of Article 370. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, said the resolution had no purpose other than being a “show for the cameras”.
In the morning, the Assembly elected NC leader Abdul Rahim Rather as the Speaker.
As legislators from different parties were speaking on Rather’s election as the Speaker, Para was asked to speak. In a surprise move, he requested the Speaker to include a resolution by the PDP in the business list and take it up for discussion.
It, however, triggered a ruckus in the House with BJP legislators standing up and opposing it, saying it was a violation of the rules.
Omar then addressed the House. He said they knew that preparations were being made for this by a member, but they were hoping it would be done after L-G Manoj Sinha’s address and the obituary references.
The Chief Minister said the reality was that people of J&K had not put their stamp on the decision taken on August 5, 2019. “If they had, the results today would have been different,” he said.
Stating that the treasury benches would decide which resolution was to be brought in the ongoing session, Omar said the resolution brought today had no importance. “Other than a show for the cameras, it has no purpose. If there was a purpose behind it, these people would have discussed it with us earlier,” he said, adding that in the coming days after consulting the Speaker, a proposal would come on behalf of the House, which would be discussed.
While speaking, Para passed on a letter and the resolution to the Speaker.
The letter stated that “although the agenda for the House has been finalised, we believe that your authority as Speaker allows the inclusion of this resolution, as it reflects the sentiment of the people at large. We trust you will give this matter due consideration in view of its significance to public sentiment,” it said.
Para even read the resolution in the House, which was objected to by the BJP.
“This House opposes the revocation of the special status of J&K and constitutional disempowerment of J&K through the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, and calls for its complete rescinding,” the resolution said.
“The House further resolves to strive for the restoration of the special status and all constitutional guarantees granted to J&K in their original, pristine form.”
As the BJP legislators stood up to oppose the move, there was commotion in the House. Para was supported by People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone, Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid’s brother Sheikh Khurshid, who is the MLA from Langate, and Shopian MLA Shabir Kullay.
The NC later said, “It was too clever by half attempt by a PDP MLA, clearly aimed at circumventing a government move to introduce the resolution.”
“We expect everyone to support the resolution rather than playing to the gallery and weakening the collective resolve of those who sincerely want reclaiming our constitutional rights, protection of dignity and identity,” the party said.
NC chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said the government was committed to bringing a resolution through a proper way.
The NC had stated in its poll manifesto that “the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, in its first list of business, will pass a resolution against the Centre’s decision to strip the region of its statehood and special status.”
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti praised Para. Thanking the legislators who supported the PDP MLAs, she said, “Your support to this resolution underscores the ongoing political and humanitarian concerns within J&K, reflecting the broader sentiment of many who view the revocation of Article 370 as a significant alteration to our autonomy and identity.”
Before the House was briefly adjourned, the Speaker tried to calm down the situation stating that the resolution had not come to him yet and whenever he received it, he would examine it.
