Jammu, February 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly descended into chaos on Wednesday as ruling National Conference (NC) and Congress legislators protested vehemently against Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma’s alleged remarks on the Peer Panjal region. Demanding an unconditional apology, the treasury benches brought the house to a standstill, leading to multiple adjournments.
The uproar began when Sharma, responding to questions about demands for divisional status for Peer Panjal, was accused of saying he didn’t know what or where Peer Panjal was. This sparked immediate outrage from the ruling side, with MLAs from Rajouri and surrounding areas leading the charge.
For over an hour, the assembly echoed with slogans and demands for Sharma’s apology. Speaker Abdul Jabbar repeatedly called for order but was forced to adjourn the house first for 15 minutes and later for longer durations as pandemonium continued.
Rajouri MLA Iftikhar Ahmad was vocal, declaring that the house would not conduct business until Sharma apologized. ‘This is an insult to the people of Peer Panjal,’ he asserted, rallying support from NC and Congress members.
Deputy Chief Minister Surender Kumar Choudhary piled on, accusing the BJP of shedding ‘crocodile tears’ for Jammu while allegedly sabotaging local institutions like the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College over college admission disputes.
The incident highlights deepening regional tensions in the assembly, where aspirations for Peer Panjal’s development often clash with political rhetoric. As proceedings remain stalled, questions arise on whether Sharma will relent or if the controversy will spill into street protests. The assembly’s ability to function effectively hangs in the balance amid this latest showdown.