Jammu: People’s Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone on Tuesday walked out from the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after his motion seeking inclusion of amendments, including restoration of Article 370, was disallowed by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.
Lone, a former minister who represents Handwara constituency, walked out of the Assembly shortly after the end of the Question Hour, saying “I am not convinced by the Speaker’s reply and I believe they are trying to muzzle us”.
As the Assembly was preparing to discuss the Lt Governor’s address after the Question Hour, the People’s Conference chairman drew the attention of the Speaker to the amendments moved by him, including restoration of Article 370.
The Speaker told the member that the House has already passed a resolution about the special status and there is no need for such a move, before dismissing the motion.
“I have moved some amendments with regards to Lt Governor’s address but five of the seven amendments were rejected by the Speaker. I have demanded restoration of Article 370, repeal of the Public Safety Act, probe in recent civilian killings, police verification and a probe in 1987 rigging in assembly elections, which were rejected,” Lone told reporters outside the Assembly.
He said it is ironic that this is the same National Conference, which highlighted these issues during its election campaign, but after forming the government “they do not want to listen and have imposed a ban on talking about these things”.
The Speaker said the House cannot take a call on revoking the Public Safety Act and police verification as these are beyond the control of the government and are under the purview of the Union Home Ministry.
On the alleged poll rigging in 1987, Rather said over 37 years have passed since and it was not possible to go for a probe.
Contesting the Speaker’s claim that he had disallowed the amendment because it was identical to the resolution brought by the National Conference government last year, Lone said there was no match between the two.
Lone said there was no mention of Article 370 or August 5, 2019 events or even Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act-2019 in the resolution passed by the NC-led government in the last session. “Your resolution is like a marriage invitation card in which neither the name of the bride is written nor the name of groom is mentioned,” Lone said.
Questioning the NC’s resolution, Lone said, “The special status doesn’t mean Article 370. The special status doesn’t cover what has been done to us on August 5, 2019. The special status could also mean a Union Territory. Are we fighting for a UT?” he asked.
Lone also contested the Speaker’s ruling on disallowing his amendment for a probe into 1987 election rigging.
“We are unable to come out of 1987; we are trapped in 1987. The rigging of the 1987 election brought violence. One lakh people died,” Lone said.
On rejection of amendments related to PSA and police verification, the Speaker said that these matters fall under the purview of the Union Home Ministry.
“I am not saying that you should pass a law on PSA. You should mention in the LG’s address that you have a desire to repeal the PSA,” Lone responded.
Responding to Lone’s claim, the Speaker said the PSA cannot be repealed until statehood is restored.
Lone said how the Assembly can remain quiet on “stringent police verification procedures”.
“We want our children shouldn’t be punished for what their father or brother or cousin has done? It is primitive. How can we allow this? How can this Assembly keep quiet?” he asked
Lone said he himself has been a victim of police verification and was barred from applying for a passport in 2012. “I was under prior approval category (PAC),” he said, adding that this form of “collective punishment” is only in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
“We want the verification rules which are prevalent in Punjab or elsewhere should also apply to us. Are we not equal citizens of India?” Lone asked.
Angered by the Speaker’s refusal to allow the amendments to the LG’s address, Lone staged a walkout from the House and did not attend remaining proceedings for the day.
