The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s first session in six years opened amid controversy, primarily focused on demands for the restoration of Article 370.

This marked a pivotal moment for the region, allowing representatives to openly discuss a contentious issue without fear of repercussions.

Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha addressed the Assembly, partially resonating with public sentimentby committing to effortsaimed at restoring full statehood and constitutional guarantees for Jammu and Kashmir. He acknowledged the strong aspirations of the people for the restoration of statehood.

The Assembly convened following the first elections in a decade. The Valley has been rocked by militant violence resulting in 15 deaths and more than a dozen injuries in the past 19 days.

Sinha told the Assembly: “It is a privilege to witness the restoration of this august House, which once againreflects the aspirations ofthe people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

The LG added that ministers led by chief minister Omar Abdullah recently passed a unanimous resolution calling for the immediate restoration of statehood. “This resolution reflects the collective will of the elected representatives, echoing the aspirations of the people for the reinstatement of full democratic governance,” he said.

The session also saw the unopposed election of veteran National Conference (NC) leader Abdul Rahim Rather as Speaker.

When Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed Para introduced a resolution opposing the abrogation of Article 370, BJP legislators opposed it, leading to chaos as other members rallied to support him.

Para took the House by surprise as he stood to speak on Rather’s election but read out a 2019 parliamentary resolution against the revocation of special status and Article 370. Three PDP MLAs had signed the resolution.

The BJP’s response was immediate, demanding that Para’s microphone be muted. The Speaker intervened, requesting patience from BJP members while he reviewed the document.

Para got support from other legislators, including Peoples’ Conference president Sajad Gani Lone and some Independents. As the ruckus continued, Omar intervened saying that the decisions taken on August 5, 2019, had no public approval but called Para’s resolution a publicity stunt.

“A single honourable member can’t decide and has no significance. What happens in this session would be decided by the treasury benches…. The resolution has no importance because unfortunately, it is nothing but a show for cameras,” Omar said.

He said the Assembly reflects the emotions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “The fact is the people of Jammu and Kashmir have not put a stamp of approval on the August 5, 2019, decisions. The results would otherwise have been different. The majority (in the Assembly) is in favour of those who raised their voices against the August 5 decisions,” he said.

The NC later signalled that a resolution against the abrogation is in the offing.

There was a bitter exchange of words between NC and BJP legislators with ruling party MLAs slamming the Opposition for disrupting the chief minister’s speech, leading to a brief adjournment of the House.

“It was too clever by half attempt by a PDP MLA (Para), clearly aimed at circumventing the government move to introduce a resolution,” the NC said on X.