The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed tumultuous scenes on Tuesday as legislators from both the Treasury and Opposition benches created an uproar over two distinct yet significant issues. The session was marked by passionate demands addressing the alleged harassment of Kashmiri Muslims residing in other parts of the country and a push for establishing a separate National Law University specifically for the Jammu region.
Allegations of Systematic Harassment Against Kashmiri Muslims
As the House assembled for the Question Hour, National Conference legislator Mubarak Gul initiated the debate by raising serious concerns about the treatment of Kashmiri Muslims outside their home state. Without explicitly naming any political party, Gul made a pointed allegation that certain elements wanted Kashmir's land but not its people, highlighting what he described as a disturbing pattern of discrimination.
He was strongly supported by fellow NC legislator Mir Saifullah, who presented even more specific claims. Saifullah alleged that numerous phone calls had been received reporting that Kashmiris living in rented accommodations elsewhere in India were being prevented from stepping outside their residences. In what he described as particularly alarming cases, Saifullah claimed that groups of 50 to 100 Kashmiris were being confined to their rented rooms, with those attempting to venture out facing physical assault.
Political Responses and Parliamentary Procedures
The Peoples Democratic Party's Waheed ur Rehman Parra further intensified the discussion by formally moving an adjournment motion seeking a dedicated debate on what he termed "hate crimes" against Kashmiris living outside the state. This procedural move underscored the seriousness with which opposition parties were treating these allegations.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Assembly attempted to maintain parliamentary decorum amid the rising tensions. While acknowledging the gravity of the harassment allegations, the Speaker informed NC legislators that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had already personally taken up these concerns with the respective state governments. The Speaker confirmed that concrete actions had been initiated following the Chief Minister's interventions, though specific details were not disclosed during the session.
BJP's Push for Separate National Law University in Jammu
Simultaneously, Bharatiya Janata Party legislators launched a parallel campaign demanding the establishment of a separate National Law University for the Jammu region. BJP's Surjit Singh Slathia spearheaded this initiative, standing up as the House convened to highlight that students were already protesting on the streets advocating for this educational institution.
Slathia presented a compelling argument by pointing out the existing precedent of separate central universities for Jammu and Kashmir provinces. "If there could be separate central Universities for the Jammu and Kashmir provinces," he questioned rhetorically, "why should there not be a separate NLU for Jammu?" His position received visible support from fellow BJP legislators, who stood on their benches holding placards featuring maps of Jammu and Kashmir to emphasize their demand.
Parliamentary Disruption and Speaker's Intervention
The first ten minutes of the crucial Question Hour were completely consumed by members from both sides raising their respective issues, creating significant disruption to the scheduled parliamentary business. The Speaker made repeated appeals to legislators to allow normal proceedings to continue, emphasizing the importance of following established parliamentary protocols.
Regarding the BJP's NLU demand, the Speaker assured members that they would be given an appropriate opportunity to raise the issue at a later time. Concerning Parra's adjournment motion on Kashmiri harassment, the Speaker ruled it disallowed, explaining that the matter could be adequately addressed through other parliamentary mechanisms available within the House.
Demonstrations Extend Beyond Assembly Walls
The political theater was not confined to the Assembly chamber alone. Outside the legislative complex, National Conference legislators organized a demonstration to amplify their concerns about the alleged harassment of Kashmiri Muslims. This external protest underscored how these issues had transcended parliamentary boundaries and entered the public domain, reflecting broader societal concerns within the region.
The dual controversies dominating the J&K Assembly session reveal the complex political landscape of the region, where concerns about minority rights and regional development demands intersect. While opposition parties focused on protection and dignity for Kashmiri Muslims, the ruling party emphasized educational infrastructure development, creating a parliamentary dynamic that reflects the multifaceted challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir.
