BJP's Shagun Parihar, wearing a saffron turban, takes oath in Sanskrit in J&K Assembly, chants 'Jai Shri Ram'; Video goes viral

Jammu and Kashmir's newly elected Assembly members were sworn in on Monday, marking a significant moment in the region's political landscape. The oath ceremony, overseen by Protem Speaker Mubarak Gul, included various prominent figures such as Omar Abdullah and Shagun Parihar.

Omar Abdullah takes oath in Kashmiri

Omar Abdullah, at the age of 54, took his oath in Kashmiri, becoming the first member to do so. This act was widely noted as Abdullah continues to hold a central position in Jammu and Kashmir's political sphere.

Shagun Parihar stands out with Sanskrit oath

The ceremony took a unique turn when Shagun Parihar, the newly elected BJP legislator from Kishtwar, took her oath in Sanskrit. Parihar, aged 29, chanted "Jai Shri Ram" before proceeding with her formal oath while donning a saffron turban. She is the youngest member in this assembly and is the only female legislator from the BJP in the region.



Shagun Parihar's family has faced tragic losses in recent years. In 2018, her father Ajit Parihar and uncle Anil Parihar were shot dead by terrorists. Anil Parihar was serving as the state secretary for BJP at the time of the attack. Despite these challenges, Shagun continued her education, pursuing a PhD when her candidacy was announced. She declared assets worth Rs 92.40 lakh in her election affidavit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier referred to her as "beti" during a rally in Doda, reflecting her growing significance within the party.

New J&K assembly composition

The newly formed assembly is composed of various political parties, with the National Conference (NC) holding 42 seats and the BJP securing 29 seats. Congress won 6 seats, while the People's Democratic Party (PDP) managed to secure 3 seats. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Aam Aadmi Party each hold one seat, while 7 seats belong to independent members. Of these independent members, six have pledged their support to the NC-led government, further solidifying Omar Abdullah's leadership.

Veteran legislators re-elected

The assembly also includes experienced politicians such as Abdul Rahim Rather and Ali Mohammad Sagar, who have been elected for a record seven times. Sagar has been serving since 1983, while Rather has held his position since 1977, highlighting their longstanding influence in Jammu and Kashmir politics.

This new Assembly signals a continued evolution in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, with a mix of veteran leadership and emerging young figures shaping its future.