Ruckus in J&K Assembly as Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh Displays Article 370 Banner, Sparks Fist Fight Among Lawmakers

A chaotic scene unfolded in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday when Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, the MLA from Langate and brother of jailed Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid, displayed a banner demanding the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A. This act led to a ruckus, triggering a fistfight among lawmakers.

The banner, which read, “We demand restoration of Article 370 and 35A. Release of political prisoners,” was raised by Sheikh as he stormed into the well of the House, causing an immediate stir. BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma objected to his actions, while marshals attempted to prevent Sheikh from standing in the well. Despite the Speaker’s instructions for him to take his seat, Sheikh stood firm, holding the banner, leading to further tensions.

BJP leaders tried to wrest the banner from Sheikh, sparking a physical altercation in the assembly. In the midst of the fracas, PDP MLA from Pulwama, Waheed Para, was seen stepping in to assist Sheikh, attempting to defuse the situation.

Meanwhile, MLAs from opposition parties, including Sajad Lone of the People’s Conference, condemned the abrogation of Article 370 and passed a resolution in the Assembly. The resolution strongly criticized the Government of India’s actions in abrogating Article 370 and Article 35A, along with the enactment of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which had revoked the special status of the region.

The resolution emphasized the unconstitutional nature of these actions and called for the immediate restoration of Article 370 and 35A in their original form. It also demanded a reversal of the changes brought about by the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, urging the government to respect the region’s unique identity, culture, and political autonomy.

In the resolution, the opposition leaders stated: "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, by the Government of India. 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."

They further demanded that the Government of India respect the constitutional and democratic sanctity of Jammu & Kashmir by reinstating all special provisions and guarantees intended to preserve its distinct identity and autonomy.