Srinagar, September 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed chaotic scenes on Monday as BJP legislators stormed the well of the House, staged protests and held mock proceedings over the wording of a resolution seeking the immediate restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.
The BJP members also demanded the removal of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather after he refused to vacate the chair despite their insistence. The party had submitted a notice seeking his removal, objecting to the way the Assembly was conducting proceedings.
At the start of the session, BJP MLA R.S. Pathania informed the Speaker that the party had submitted a notice seeking his removal. Rather responded that he had not seen the notice and that, under the procedure of the House, the proposal could be considered for listing only after 14 days.
The Speaker’s response triggered a protest by BJP legislators, who entered the well of the House and raised slogans demanding that Rather step down from the chair. During the uproar, members threw papers towards the Speaker’s chair, while some business papers were torn.
The protesting BJP MLAs subsequently began conducting mock proceedings in the well as the disruption continued.
The protest was primarily over the wording of the resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. The BJP objected to references in the resolution to the Assembly’s 2000 autonomy resolution and the resolution passed in November 2024 concerning Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional position.
The BJP has maintained that it supports the restoration of statehood but opposes linking the demand with references to autonomy, Article 370 and the region’s earlier constitutional arrangements.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary defended the government’s position during the uproar and questioned the BJP’s objections to the proceedings.
Despite the noisy scenes, Speaker Rather continued to preside over the House, and Question Hour proceeded amid the protests. The Assembly later took up a debate on the autonomy resolution, with National Conference members speaking in its favour.
In a notable development, Peoples Conference president and MLA Sajad Gani Lone supported the statehood restoration resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
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