A heated scuffle broke out in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after controversial remarks made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik regarding Hindus triggered outrage among multiple legislators, especially from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to reports, Malik allegedly stated that “Hindus wear a tilak but sin all the time,” which drew strong objections from BJP MLAs. The situation quickly escalated, resulting in several MLAs being marshalled out by Assembly officials to restore order.
Reacting to the remarks, BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa, who was present during the session, condemned Malik’s comments.
“Today, he has insulted Hindus; will he do anything he wants? We will protest this. He has insulted Hindus saying that Hindus wear tilak and sin, steal from people, drink alcohol, we will tell him what Hindus do,”
he said.
The uproar didn’t stop there. Malik also got into a verbal altercation with PDP MLA Waheed Parra, accusing him of being involved with mafias.
“You have been a traitor… he has brought in the mafia. There are so many people outside. Who are these people?”
Malik shouted at Parra.
He later added to the press:
“He tells me I have no respect or manners. Will he teach me?”
Malik also alleged that he had been physically attacked by BJP workers during the chaos.
Meanwhile, Awami Itehad Party leader Salman Khursheed criticized the conduct of the ruling National Conference (NC) government, accusing it of intentionally derailing proceedings:
“They will shout, create ruckus for 1-2 hours and adjourn the house till the 3rd day is completed. But today we will demand in the house that the session be extended by five days. At least for the 3 days the proceedings of the house did not take place, the business be reissued, which have private members resolutions and bills too.”
Khursheed also questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s continued absence from the Assembly:
“You can see, where is the leader of the house? Why did he not come for the last three days?”
This marks the third consecutive day of unrest in the Assembly. On earlier days, Opposition parties and National Conference MLAs staged protests demanding a discussion on the Waqf Amendment Act, which the Speaker refused to list due to an ongoing court case.
During those protests, PDP MLA Waheed Parra was marshalled out for trying to approach the well of the house, and People’s Conference Chief Sajjad Lone also clashed with NC MLAs over the same issue.