The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed disruption on Monday after BJP MLAs entered the Well of the House while opposing a resolution seeking the urgent restoration of statehood. The BJP also moved a motion seeking the removal of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and objected to references to autonomy and special status in the resolution.Why did BJP MLAs protest in the J&K Assembly?"The BJP opposed the wording of the statehood resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, particularly references to earlier resolutions concerning autonomy and special status. BJP leaders said these references were unacceptable and argued that the resolution should not have been admitted in its present form."Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP supports restoration of statehood but does not support bringing earlier autonomy-related positions into the current resolution. The BJP has maintained that the references go beyond its position on restoration of statehood.What happened inside the Assembly?BJP legislators entered the Well of the House and raised slogans against Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather. Reports said some members tore copies of business papers during the protest, while BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma conducted mock proceedings from the Well. Other BJP members sat on the floor as the parallel proceedings continued.The disruption took place during Question Hour. Despite the protests, the Speaker continued the proceedings, with ministers responding to questions from members of the National Conference and Congress.Why did BJP seek the Speaker’s removal?BJP MLA R.S. Pathania informed the House that the party had submitted a motion seeking Speaker Rather’s removal. The BJP argued that the Speaker had allowed Omar Abdullah’s statehood resolution to be taken up despite what it described as procedural and constitutional objections.Rather said the motion could not be taken up immediately. According to the Assembly procedure cited by the Speaker, a motion for his removal would have to be entered in the list of business and could be considered after 14 days from its submission.What is the statehood resolution about?Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resolution calls on the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution also refers to earlier resolutions passed by the Assembly in 2000 and 2024.Abdullah has said the latest resolution is intended to seek restoration of full statehood and does not replace the earlier resolutions. The BJP, however, has objected to the references to autonomy and special status, making the wording of the resolution the central point of the current Assembly confrontation.Also Read : J&K Statehood Resolution: Omar Abdullah Faces BJP Protest Over Autonomy Reference
