Assembly: Sajjad Lone Confronts BJP Members to Shield Langate MLA

KNT: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly proceedings on Thursday descended into chaos as BJP MLAs clashed with marshals following Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather’s order to remove protesting Opposition MLAs. The commotion began when Langate MLA Sheikh Khurshid displayed a poster advocating for the restoration of Article 370, sparking a heated confrontation involving J&K People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone.
The commotion followed the passage of a resolution seeking restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370. Members from the PDP and People’s Conference submitted a fresh resolution to reinstate the special status, prompting fierce protests from Opposition BJP members.
Sajad Lone as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust lambasted the National Conference, calling their resolution “drama” and expressing frustration at being labeled BJP allies. “We supported the resolution yesterday, and their spokesperson tweets that we are allies of BJP. Enough of this nonsense,” he said.
As tensions escalated, Sheikh Khurshid of AIP jumped into the Well with a banner demanding restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A, as well as the release of political prisoners. BJP members attempted to seize and tear the banner, leading to a violent scuffle. Marshals intervened to restore order, but the situation remained volatile as both sides continued to express their views for and against the resolution.
Speaking to the media outside the House, Sajjad Lone criticized the National Conference for not supporting Khurshid during the attack. “We have fought against Khurshid saab, but as a Kashmiri, when I saw he was attacked alone, I couldn’t stop myself. Did anyone from the National Conference come?” he asked. [KNT]