Pandemonium in Jammu & Kashmir house over BJP MLA's 'derogatory remarks'

The J&K assembly witnessed a chaotic scene on Wednesday when legislators from the ruling National Conference and Opposition parties protested against BJP for "derogatory remarks" against July 13, 1931, martyrs.

BJP members walked out of the assembly in protest after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather directed the assembly secretariat to expunge "derogatory remarks" of the leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma regarding the July 1931 martyrs of Kashmir.

The Martyr's Day commemorates the 22 Kashmiris killed by the forces of the Dogra Maharaja on July 13, 1931, in Kashmir.


The day was observed as an official holiday in J&K till 2019-20. Following the abrogation of Article 370 and downgrading of erstwhile state of J&K into the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh, the then LG administration dropped Martyr's Day and birth anniversary of NC founder Sheikh Abdullah, falling on December 5, from the official holiday list. NC, in its poll manifesto, had mentioned that it will restore these public holidays once they come to power.

Pandemonium in the assembly was triggered by the speech of PDP MLA Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para, who demanded restoration of both the holidays. The demand upset BJP's Sharma, who said that he can feel Para's pain considering his party's performance in the assembly elections. But Sharma's "derogatory remarks" remarks against 1931 martyrs triggered protests. Amid the exchange of slogans, Speaker expunged the "derogatory remarks", following which BJP MLAs staged a walkout.

Speaking outside the House, Sharma said "those who rose up in rebellion against him (the Dogra Maharaja) were traitors and not martyrs".