Chaos Erupts in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Over Article 370 Banner

A major uproar unfolded in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday when Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, MLA from Langate and brother of jailed Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid, raised tensions by displaying a banner demanding the restoration of Article 370. Sheikh, a member of the Awami Ittehad Party, stormed into the well of the House holding a banner that read: “We demand restoration of Article 370 and 35A. Release of political prisoners.”

This move quickly escalated tensions as BJP legislators, led by Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma, objected to the banner. Marshals intervened, attempting to stop Sheikh from standing in the well of the House, while Speaker of the House instructed him to return to his seat. Despite the warnings, Sheikh refused to comply, continuing to stand with the banner in hand.

The situation spiraled further when BJP members attempted to seize the banner from Sheikh. This led to a physical altercation between the legislators, with punches thrown amidst the chaos. In the midst of the scuffle, Waheed Para, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLA from Pulwama, was seen stepping in to defend Sheikh.

As tensions remained high, opposition members seized the moment to reiterate their demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. MLAs from opposition parties, including the People’s Conference, passed a resolution condemning the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A by the Government of India.

The resolution, which was put forward by opposition leaders, strongly criticized the unilateral actions taken by the central government. “This House strongly condemns the unconstitutional and unilateral abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, along with the enactment of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019,” the resolution stated. “These actions stripped Jammu & Kashmir of its special status and statehood, undermining the foundational guarantees and protections originally accorded to the region and its people by the Constitution of India,” it further added.

The resolution further demanded the immediate restoration of both Article 370 and Article 35A in their original form. Opposition members urged the government to reverse the provisions introduced by the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which restructured the state into two Union Territories.

The resolution echoed the region's long-standing sentiment for autonomy, with opposition leaders calling on the central government to respect the region's unique identity. “This House unequivocally demands the immediate restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A in their original, unaltered form,” the resolution declared. “We further urge the Government of India to respect the constitutional and democratic sanctity of Jammu & Kashmir by reinstating all special provisions and guarantees intended to preserve its distinct identity, culture, and political autonomy,” it concluded.​