BJP Stages Walkout After Speaker Expunges Comments
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD): The Legislative Assembly witnessed heated exchanges on Wednesday after Leader of the Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma referred to the July 13 martyrs as “traitors,” sparking strong protests from both Treasury benches and Kashmir-based opposition parties.
The controversy arose during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address when PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra demanded the restoration of the July 13 Martyrs Day holiday. As Parra concluded his speech, Sunil Sharma objected to the demand, stating, “They were not martyrs but traitors.”
His remarks triggered an uproar, with legislators from various parties condemning the statement. MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat called the comments “humiliating and divisive,” urging their removal from the House records. Amid loud protests, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather ruled that the remarks be expunged.
In response, all BJP MLAs staged a walkout in protest. Meanwhile, Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Gani Lone called for the House to pass a resolution reinstating holidays on Martyrs Day and the birthday of NC founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.(DD)