Heated exchanges in J&K Assembly over Kathua killings, Gulmarg fashion show controversy
KINS DESK
Jammu, Mar 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed heated exchanges on Monday as opposition and treasury benches clashed over the killing of civilians in Kathua and the controversy surrounding a fashion show in Gulmarg.
As soon as the House convened, members of the National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and two Independents raised strong objections to the fashion show, calling it “obscene” and alleging that it hurt religious sentiments during the holy month of Ramzan. The MLAs demanded a probe into the facilitation of the event, with PDP MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz and NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq vocally leading the protest.
The fashion show, held at the winter tourist resort of Gulmarg, has drawn widespread criticism, with Kashmir’s chief priest, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, condemning it as an “obscene act” in the name of tourism promotion. In response, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered an inquiry into the matter.
Meanwhile, BJP members focused on the killings in Kathua, urging that the issue should not be politicized. They, however, strongly advocated for the continuation of the Question Hour.
“The killings of civilians in Billawar are deeply concerning. Instead of politicizing the matter, efforts should be made to bring the culprits to justice,” said Billawar MLA Satesh Sharma.
The bodies of three civilians, who had gone missing on March 5 while returning home from a wedding in Billawar, were discovered near a waterbody in the upper reaches of Kathua on Saturday. Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz condemned the killing, particularly of a child, as a grave human rights violation.
The House descended into chaos, with members of NC-Congress, PDP, and BJP engaging in verbal duels for over 25 minutes. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather repeatedly attempted to restore order, assuring members that time would be allotted after the Question Hour, but disruptions persisted.
Rather later informed the House that he had received two adjournment motions—one from Congress’s Nizamuddin Bhat and another from NC MLA Rameshwar Singh—concerning the civilian killings and an attack on Bani MLA Rameshwar Singh.
Under Rule 59, debates on issues under investigation are prohibited. Since a probe has been ordered by the Lieutenant Governor regarding the Kathua killings and by the Chief Minister for the Gulmarg fashion show, both issues could not be formally discussed in the House, he clarified.
Regarding the attack on Singh, the Speaker stated, “We condemn this attack. The entire House stands united in condemning it.” Singh was assaulted by protesters while visiting the families of the deceased at a hospital in Billawar on Saturday night.
BJP’s Satesh Sharma accused Singh of politicizing the incident in his constituency, urging the Assembly to pay tribute to the victims, including a child. However, the Speaker maintained that no debate could be held on the matter.
Chief Minister Abdullah intervened, questioning why the Leader of the Opposition was allowed to visit the victims’ families in Kathua, while the Deputy Chief Minister was barred from doing so under security pretexts.
After a brief Question Hour, fresh chaos erupted when MLA Sheikh Khursheed demanded condemnation of all killings. He was ultimately marshalled out of the House for causing disruptions.
Outside the Assembly, Minister Sakina Itoo reiterated that a probe into the Gulmarg fashion show had been ordered, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised.
The volatile session underscored the deep divisions within the House, with sensitive issues fueling tensions between political factions.(KINS)
