BJP Walks Out After Speaker Expunges Controversial Comments
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD): The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed chaotic scenes on Wednesday after Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma referred to the July 13 martyrs as “traitors,” triggering sharp reactions from the House.
The controversy erupted during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address, when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra demanded the restoration of the July 13 Martyrs’ Day holiday, which was removed from the official list in 2019.
Fierce Protests Over Sharma’s Remarks
As Parra concluded his speech, LoP Sunil Sharma stood up and strongly objected to the demand, stating, “They were not martyrs but traitors.” His remarks immediately sparked outrage, with members from both the Treasury and Opposition benches condemning the statement.
MLA Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat, called the remarks “insulting and divisive” and demanded that they be removed from the records. As protests escalated, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened and announced that Sharma’s comments had been expunged from the Assembly records.
BJP Stages Walkout
Unhappy with the Speaker’s decision, all BJP MLAs staged a walkout in protest.
Following the heated exchange, Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Gani Lone proposed that the House pass a resolution reinstating the Martyrs’ Day holiday, along with the birth anniversary of NC founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.
The issue of reinstating the July 13 holiday has remained a sensitive subject in Jammu and Kashmir, with strong political divisions over its significance.(DD)