Fri Nov 08 10:13:40 UTC 2024: ## J&K Assembly Plunges into Chaos as Article 370 Debate Rages On

**Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir** – The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed another day of intense turmoil on Friday, with the ongoing debate over the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A fueling heated exchanges and physical confrontations. The chaos marked the third consecutive day of disruptions in the House.

The latest flare-up began when Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, brother of Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, entered the well of the House brandishing a banner demanding the reinstatement of the revoked articles. This prompted immediate action from BJP lawmakers, who snatched and tore the banner, leading to a brief scuffle with People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone joining Khursheed.

As marshals attempted to escort Khursheed out, he fell on the stairs and was eventually removed from the House. Despite the Speaker’s repeated calls for order, BJP members continued their protest, chanting slogans in honor of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee. In response, National Conference (NC) members chanted about the sacrifices made for Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy.

The escalating situation culminated in the forceful removal of 15 BJP MLAs from the House after they stormed into the well and continued their disruptive chants.

The five-day Assembly session has been marred by intense disagreement between the opposition BJP and regional parties over the abrogation of Article 370, resulting in shouting matches, physical altercations, and walkouts. This escalation follows the passage of a resolution on Wednesday advocating for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, a move fiercely opposed by the BJP who deemed it “illegal.”

The BJP’s stance against the resolution, coupled with their insistence that the abrogation of Article 370 is a closed matter, further fueled the ongoing tensions in the Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Indian Rupee plummeted to a record low against the US dollar, hitting 84.37 on Friday. This decline is attributed to factors such as foreign fund outflows, weak domestic equities, and the US Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts. Experts are closely observing the situation, emphasizing the need for decisive action by the Reserve Bank of India to navigate the volatile currency landscape.

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