Why no protests when Hindus were burnt in B’desh, asks BJP
BJP legislators clash with Cong MLA, Marshals intervene
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 27: Pandemonium broke out in the Legislative Assembly as the budget session was resumed after over a month-long break with legislators from ruling NC and its allies Congress and CPM besides the Opposition PDP and some Independents holding protests and raising slogans against United States and Israel for waging war against Iran, killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and civilians. Main Opposition, the BJP, protested in the House seeking setting up of National Law University for the Jammu region.
After 27 minutes of free-for-all situation, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House for half an hour. The Question Hour was completely lost in the din. At one point of time, some BJP MLAs nearly came to blows with Congress legislator Irfan Hafiz Lone who reportedly passed remarks against the Central Government functionaries.
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There was trouble right from beginning of the Question Hour with almost all legislators of different political parties and Independents on their feet. While the NC, Congress, PDP, CPM and some Independent MLAs shouted slogans against United States and Israel for waging war against Iran and killing Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei and innocent civilians, the BJP MLAs carrying placards chanted in favour of setting up of the NLU in the Jammu region.
A couple of NC and PDP MLAs were carrying the photographs of Ayatollah Khamenei and were wearing black bands while the BJP legislators had placards in their hands seeking NLU in the Jammu region.
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‘Israel Hai Hai’, ‘America Hai Hai’, ‘Israeli Dahshatgardi Bandh Karo, Bandh Karo’ were the slogans raised by the treasury benches, PDP and others with some of the MLAs standing on their benches. The BJP repeatedly raised the slogans like `Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and `Vande Mataram’.
After Congress MLA Irfan Lone reportedly passed certain remarks against the senior Central Government functionaries, BJP MLA Shagun Parihar had heated exchanges with him. A number of BJP MLAs rushed towards Lone and surrounded him. However, intervention by the Marshalas prevented any untoward incident. The BJP MLAs flung papers and shouted ‘Narendra Modi Zindabad’ and ‘Amit Shah Zindabad’.
Finding no end to the protests, the Speaker adjourned the House for half an hour at 10.27 AM.
When the House resumed at 11.10 AM, some of the NC legislators demanded that the Leader of House (Chief Minister Omar Abdullah) should make a statement on Iran war which he did later.
BJP MLA Surjit Singh Slathia took the NC and other legislators to task asking when Hindus were burnt and killed in Bangladesh, none of them spoke a single word in the House.
“It’s wrong. You (the treasury benches MLAs and others) didn’t utter a single word on the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh,” Slathia said.
As the House began, National Conference MLA and chief party spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, donned in a black dress and headgear, displayed a picture of Khamenei. CPI (M) MLA M Y Tarigami demanded that the Assembly condemn the Israel-US aggression on Iran.
They were joined by members from parties other than the BJP, with some of them wearing black bands on their arms and foreheads.
Speaker Rather requested the MLAs to remain seated, assuring both sides that he would provide them enough time to speak on the issues.
“I have heard everyone. I request that you allow the Question Hour to proceed. We have not come here for sloganeering. There could be important issues; we cannot deny that. But we will raise it in an orderly manner after the Question Hour,” Rather said.
As the MLAs sat down and Minister Sakeena Itoo started replying to the first question, BJP legislator Surjit Singh Slathia rose and demanded assurance from the Government on the NLU.
Chaos erupted again as National Conference, PDP, Congress, CPI (M) and Independent MLAs trooped to the Well of the House but were stopped by the Marshalls, leading to intensified sloganeering against Israel.
Earlier, National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq held a protest outside the assembly in support of Iran.
“We understand that Khamenei was not a political leader but a religious leader, but no country has the right to assassinate any religious leader of any country. We consider him a martyr. We stand in solidarity with Iran,” Sadiq said.
He lauded Iran for resisting the aggression despite economic sanctions.
CPI (M) leader M Y Tarigami described the Iran crisis as a serious global concern.
He said the conflict has created a grave situation worldwide, impacting economic stability, fuel supply, and increasing tensions across regions.
Highlighting India’s historical and cultural ties with Iran, Tarigami said the Government of India must take a clear stand and openly condemn the war.
“India, as a country with a rich civilisational legacy and global standing, should play an active role in promoting peace,” he said.
Tarigami said disputes must be resolved through dialogue, urging India to take a strong, proactive role on the global stage to ensure peace.
The second phase of the budget session began on Friday after a five-week recess.
The first leg began on February 2 and ended on the 20th of the month.
The current session will conclude on April 4.
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