JK Assembly Speaker Moves to Expunge CM Remarks on Article 370

SRINAGAR: Pandemonium broke out in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Tuesday after the Speaker, Kavinder Gupta, in a surprising move, ordered to expunge the remarks of the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Article 370. The assembly was later adjourned for the day.

Speaking in the assembly a day earlier, Mehbooba, whose party is in an alliance with the BJP in J&K, said there can be nothing more anti-national than speaking out against the Article 370, which grants special status to the state.

"Nothing can be more anti-national than talking about abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special position (in the Indian Constitution under Article 370)," she had said.

However, her remarks apparently didn't go down well with her coalition partner, BJP, as one of the right-wing legislator, RS Jasrotia, staged a protest in the assembly against the issue today.

"Abrogation of Article 370 is our party lasting stand. Our senior leaders have given their life while staying true to this cause. The remarks are insulting and should be expunged," Jasrotia said.

In its poll manifesto for J&K, the BJP promises the electorate to do away with the Article 370 which bars non-state subjects from purchasing land in the state besides other incentives for locals.

As the assembly witnessed ruckus over the issue on Tuesday, the speaker Gupta, who has previously described himself as a "proud RSS man", in an unprecedented move, issued directions to expunge the CM's remarks.

The directions created an uproar in the House with the Opposition legislators claiming that this was for the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir that the remarks of Chief Minister were being expunged.

Shouting slogans like 'RSS Sarkar Hai Hai', some Opposition legislators led by the National Conference marched into the well of the House, demanding explanation from the Chief Minister.

"This is an unprecedented move and the leader of the House must explain her position and let the House know her stand on the critical issue," Omar Abdullah, who is the leader of the Opposition, said.

Despite attempts by Gupta to pacify the Opposition, the House, which was briefly adjourned on two occasions, continued to witness disruption after which the proceedings for the day were suspended.