JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir assembly was adjourned for half an hour on Friday as a pandemonium broke out soon after the budget session resumed after a five-week recess.
Members from both the treasury and the opposition benches stood up, raising slogans and disrupting the Question Hour despite Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather repeatedly asking the legislators to take their seats.
While MLAs of the ruling National Conference, Congress, CPI(M), Independents and the opposition PDP raised slogans against Israel and condemned the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the BJP members held placards to press for a National Law University in Jammu.
As the House began, National Conference MLA and chief party spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, donned in a black dress and headgear, displayed a picture of Khamenei.
CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami demanded that the assembly condemn the Israel-US aggression on Iran.
They were joined by members from parties other than the BJP, with some of them wearing black bands on their arms and foreheads.
The BJP MLAs were also on their feet, demanding a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu.
Speaker Rather requested the MLAs to remain seated, assuring both sides that he would provide them enough time to speak on the issues.
“I have heard everyone. I request that you allow the Question Hour to proceed. We have not come here for sloganeering. There could be important issues; we cannot deny that. But we will raise it in an orderly manner after the Question Hour,” Rather said.
As the MLAs sat down and Minister Sakeena Itoo started replying to the first question, BJP legislator Surjit Singh Slathia rose and demanded assurance from the government on the NLU.
Chaos erupted again as National Conference, PDP, Congress, CPI(M) and Independent MLAs trooped to the Well of the House but were stopped by the Marshalls, leading to intensified sloganeering against Israel.
The BJP MLAs also shouted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”, and called for the alleged discrimination against Jammu to end, triggering noisy scenes.
There were heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches, with Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone and BJP legislators virtually coming to blows amid pro- and anti-Modi sloganeering. Timely intervention by Marshalls prevented the situation from getting worse, prompting the speaker to adjourn the house for half an hour.
Earlier, Congress MLA Sadiq held a protest outside the assembly in support of Iran.
“We understand that Khamenei was not a political leader but a religious leader, but no country has the right to assassinate any religious leader of any country. We consider him a martyr. We stand in solidarity with Iran,” Sadiq said.
He lauded Iran for resisting the aggression despite economic sanctions.
Talking to media, CPI(M) leader Tarigami described the Iran crisis as a serious global concern.
He said the conflict has created a grave situation worldwide, impacting economic stability, fuel supply, and increasing tensions across regions.
Highlighting India’s historical and cultural ties with Iran, Tarigami said the Government of India must take a clear stand and openly condemn the war.
“India, as a country with a rich civilisational legacy and global standing, should play an active role in promoting peace,” he said.
Tarigami said disputes must be resolved through dialogue, urging India to take a strong, proactive role on the global stage to ensure peace.
The second phase of the budget session began on Friday after a five-week recess.
The first leg began on February 2 and ended on the 20th of the month.
In the first phase, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented the Union Territory’s budget on February 6, and the House passed grants for various departments after detailed discussions conducted in twin sittings each day.
The current session will conclude on April 4.
According to the notified business schedule, March 30 and April 1 have been earmarked for private members’ bills, while March 31 and April 2 are reserved for private members’ resolutions.
