Srinagar, Sep 28: BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Monday said his party supports the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, while objecting to what he described as “controversial” language being used in the Legislative Assembly.
Speaking during Question Hour, Sharma said Jammu and Kashmir was a sensitive region because of security concerns and urged members to exercise caution in their statements.
“Jammu-Kashmir is a very sensitive state. In the past, we have an enemy country that is always engaged in one conspiracy or another,” Sharma said.
He said it was difficult for the House to arrive at consensus on issues concerning the region and stressed that the BJP did not oppose every position taken by the Opposition.
“It is not necessary that being in the Opposition, we oppose you. It is not like that. We also want you to make this positive point clear,” Sharma said.
On the issue of statehood, Sharma made it clear that the BJP supports its restoration.
“There is no doubt that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s agenda is statehood,” he said.
However, Sharma objected to the language being used in the Assembly in connection with the proposed resolution.
“We also are in favour of statehood. We want to bring statehood,” he said. “But the kind of language being used in this House is tearing apart the basic structure of the Constitution of India.”
Sharma also invoked the constitutional principle of secularism, saying, “There should be talk of secularism. India is based on the principle of secularism.”
His remarks triggered interruptions in the House as members sought to keep the discussion focused on the proceedings of Question Hour rather than the statehood resolution.
When Sharma attempted to continue discussing the resolution, members reminded him that the resolution would be taken up separately.
“This is Question Hour,” he was told.
Sharma responded that the Opposition should also be allowed to put forward its position, saying, “We also have the right to speak.”
He subsequently referred to Article 370 and Article 35A, questioning the position taken by the National Conference leadership on the provisions.
“When you talk here about so-called 370, so-called 35A…” Sharma said, before referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s earlier tenure as a minister in the BJP-led government at the Centre.
The remarks prompted repeated interruptions from members in the House, with Sharma insisting that he should be allowed to respond to the points raised by the Leader of the Opposition.
“Leader of Opposition Sahib has spoken, sir. Let us also reply, sir,” Sharma said.
