J&K Assembly Uproar as BJP Protests Governance Issues; Statehood Demand Raised

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly began its autumn session on Monday, September 21, with BJP legislators protesting during Question Hour over electricity tariff increases, outsourcing of government jobs, regularisation of daily-wage workers and demands concerning National Health Mission employees.

The J&K Assembly had opened with obituary references to former members, after which the disruptions intensified when BJP lawmakers raised slogans and some entered the Well of the House. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather repeatedly called for order before the proceedings were eventually adjourned for the day.

According to the Kashmir Observer, the seven-sitting autumn session is scheduled to continue until September 30, with employment, public services, reservations and governance among the issues expected to receive attention.

Jammu and Kashmir Statehood Demand Triggers Exchange

The dispute inside the House was also linked to Jammu and Kashmir statehood, with National Conference and CPI(M) members raising the demand for restoration while BJP legislators continued their protest over governance matters.

CPI(M) legislator Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami raised the issue during the confrontation, while National Conference members also responded with slogans. The Speaker warned protesting members that disorder would not be allowed to continue and urged legislators to use the session for public issues.

The statehood question has remained a major political issue since the 2019 reorganisation of the former state. An earlier dispute within the National Conference also centred on the party’s position on the restoration of statehood, highlighting continuing debate over Jammu and Kashmir’s political future.

Apni Party Protest Centres On Reservation Policy

Outside the legislature, an Apni Party protest was held near the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar over the existing reservation policy and the government’s handling of the issue. Party leaders demanded greater transparency and sought disclosure of the Cabinet sub-committee’s report on the reservation framework.

Police detained protesting Apni Party leaders during the demonstration, adding to the political activity surrounding the first day of the session. The Apni Party protest remained separate from the BJP’s intervention inside the Assembly, with reservation policy forming its central demand.

The J&K Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, with legislative business expected to continue alongside debate over employment, reservations, governance and Jammu and Kashmir statehood. The Apni Party protest has also brought renewed attention to the reservation dispute as parties press the government for answers.