‘Shoe-beating’ remark sparks uproar in J&K assembly, BJP demands Omar apology | India News
JAMMU: Proceedings of the J&K Assembly were disrupted on Wednesday after the Chief Minister Omar AbdullahComment that BJP MLAs had to be “shoe-beaten” by the Union Home Minister Amit ShahOutbreak of protests and walkout of opposition members.BJP sources said that Shah, on a three-day visit last week, reprimanded party legislators for demanding a separate state for Jammu, insisting that Kashmir cannot be separated. They alleged that Abdullah hinted at the meeting without giving details. Former minister and BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma denied any conflict, termed the meeting cordial and questioned the basis of the chief minister’s comments.A budget debate in the Assembly on Tuesday evening sparked excitement when Abdullah criticized the Indo-US trade deal as unfair to J&K, saying duty-free imports of American apples and dry fruits would hurt local farmers. BJP MLAs objected, sparking a heated exchange in which Abdullah referred to a meeting between BJP MLAs and Shah, using language that prompted the Speaker to adjourn the House.When proceedings resumed on Wednesday, BJP MLAs entered the well demanding an apology. Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma termed the comment as insulting and unprecedented for a chief minister. Abdullah refused to apologise, asking Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to remove any parliamentary words if necessary.Addressing the rally, Abdullah said his comments were aimed at BJP MLAs and did not involve any personal or family insults, accusing Sharma and other opposition members of repeatedly referring to his father and late grandfather. He warned that continued disruption could affect member inquiries and donations.BJP members later walked out, Sharma said: “Such words have never been used by anyone in the history of the assembly”. He insisted on the Chief Minister’s apology.
