One BJP member was injured after the assembly speaker ordered marshals to evict the intruders out of the house, sparking a scuffle. The party later announced it would boycott the rest of the current sessions, which ends on Saturday. The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state assembly boycotted the entire session on the very first day, protesting against alleged human rights violations.
The BJP, which maintains that Kashmir is an integral part of India, was stung by Abdullah’s comment that “Kashmir had acceded to India under an agreement and not merged with it.”
Abdullah had been criticizing the party as he addressed the house. “It is easy to say that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and it sounds nice to the ears but if there is no doubt in your minds and hearts on this account, why are you time and again shouting this slogan at the top of your voices?” he asked.
“Why isn’t the same slogan not being raised for Tamil Nadu or any other state? On one hand you are granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and on the other you support removing it from the constitution. You have doubt in your hearts”, he said.
Concluding the two-day debate on the prevailing situation in Kashmir in the state assembly, Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir had been put under India’s control as part of an agreement. “We have not broken that agreement nor have we taken it back, but you (New Delhi) have gradually demolished it and people are aggrieved and angry for this act,” he said.
“We both were required to uphold and respect the agreement. Many say that much water has flown down the Jhelum since then. We also agree, but it is still a fact that Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India is under an agreement and it is not the merger.”
Abdullah added that Kashmir was “an issue between India and Pakistan and Kashmiris were being crushed.”
He also said successive governments in New Delhi have accepted that all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, needed to be discussed with Pakistan. “The Agra, Lahore, Delhi and other Indo-Pak summits were steps in this direction. If anybody thinks that the issue will be settled by talking to separatists alone, he is in a make-believe world,” he said adding that both external and internal dialogues were imperative to delivering a permanent solution on the issue.
“Dialogue with separatists and others is not sufficient unless a sustained dialogue is started with Pakistan,” he added. Abdullah warned of the consequences of not addressing the Kashmir issue politically. “Either we have to work sincerely to stop this unrest and bloodshed once and for all or we will be contributing to unabated killings,” he added. “If the Kashmir issue is settled by my leaving the chair, I will waste no time to leave power. I promise, I will even leave politics if it leads to a resolution.”
Meanwhile, Abdullah said action has been initiated against police officers involved in alleged human rights violations and use of excessive force during the present unrest. “We have initiated action against five policemen in Anantnag for violating human rights and they will be punished as justice runs its course,” he said.
“Similarly, we have initiated action against those involved in the use of excessive force and accused of human rights violations. It is my duty to ensure justice for all and while I am sitting on this chair, I will do so.”
He added that 15 out of 16 bunkers identified for removal have been dismantled in the capital of Srinagar.
