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The recent session of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly witnessed a heated exchange between the speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, and BJP MLAs, culminating in the speaker condemning the latter's behavior as inappropriate and disrespectful. The controversy arose from the assembly's passage of a resolution demanding the restoration of special status to the Union Territory (UT). Following the resolution's approval, BJP MLAs disrupted the proceedings, engaging in disruptive activities such as tearing copies of the resolution and shouting slogans, including "Speaker Hai Hai", "Jai Shree Ram", "Anti-Jammu Agenda Nahi Chalega", and "Pakistani Agenda Nahin Chalega."
Speaker Rather, in response to the chaotic scene, criticized the BJP MLAs' conduct, characterizing their actions as "cheap sloganeering." He emphasized their responsibility as members of the ruling party at the center, suggesting their behavior fell short of the expected decorum. Further fueling the controversy, the speaker accused the BJP MLAs of disrespecting national symbols, noting that some members had stepped on the national emblem displayed on the secretary's chair while standing on the well of the House. This act, in the speaker's view, demonstrated a lack of respect for India's national symbol, a sentiment he found deeply saddening.
The BJP members, however, countered the speaker's criticisms, accusing him of bias. One MLA, Sunil Sharma, alleged that the speaker had personally drafted the resolution after a meeting with ministers. Rather refuted these accusations, challenging the BJP members to submit a no-confidence motion against him if they lacked faith in his impartiality. He asserted that he would willingly step down if the House voted in favor of the motion, suggesting that the BJP's allegations were a ploy to avoid facing a vote on his leadership.
This incident highlights the deepening political divide in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP's vehement opposition to the resolution and the speaker's condemnation of their actions showcase the distinct political ideologies and the tension surrounding the status of Jammu and Kashmir. The speaker's condemnation of the BJP MLAs' behavior, particularly their alleged disrespect for the national emblem, raises crucial questions about the role of national symbols in political discourse and the importance of maintaining decorum within legislative assemblies.
Source: 'Cheap sloganeering, stepped on national emblem': J&K speaker rebukes BJP MLAs