Chaos in J&K Assembly as Engineer Rashid's Brother Shows Banner on Article 370

Assembly Adjourned After Protests

Srinagar: Chaos erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly on Tuesday after Independent MLA Engineer Rashid's brother, Sheikh Rashid, entered the well of the House and displayed a banner demanding the restoration of Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state.

The incident occurred during Question Hour, leading to pandemonium. Security personnel immediately intervened and escorted Sheikh Rashid out of the House, while Engineer Rashid was seen protesting from his seat.

Protests and Adjournment

The protests led to the adjournment of the assembly for 10 minutes. When it reconvened, BJP legislators staged a walkout, alleging that the breach of security was a "conspiracy" against the state.

The incident has sparked strong reactions from both sides of the political divide. The opposition has accused the government of "suppressing" the voice of the people, while the BJP has claimed that the protests were an attempt to "disrupt" the assembly's proceedings.

Background on Article 370

Article 370 of the Indian Constitution gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have its own constitution and flag, and exempted it from central laws except those related to defense, foreign affairs, and communications.

However, in 2019, the BJP-led government revoked Article 370, a move that was met with widespread protests and condemnation from opposition parties.

Future Implications

The incident in the assembly has raised concerns about the ongoing tensions in Jammu and Kashmir. It remains to be seen how the state government will respond to the demands for the restoration of Article 370, and whether the protests will escalate in the coming days.