Jammu, Feb 04: Pandemonium broke out in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday over Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Kumar Sharma’s objection to referring to the Rajouri and Poonch districts as the Pir Panchal region.
After the Question Hour concluded, Congress MLA Iftikhar Ahmed, who represents the Rajouri assembly segment, demanded that Sharma apologise for objecting to the reference to Rajouri and Poonch districts of the Jammu region as Pir Panchal.
“Konsa Khita (which region?), Kya Khita (what region?), Kaha Se Naam Pada Hai (where did it get this name?),” Sharma had told reporters when he was asked about the demand for setting up a National Law University in the Pir Panchal region.
As Iftikhar persisted with the demand, other legislators from the ruling alliance, especially those representing these twin districts, also stood up and supported the Congress MLA.
Shouting slogans of “Jeevay Jeevay Pir Panchal,” the MLAs of the ruling alliance continued with their demand.
Soon, BJP legislators were on their feet, countering the ruling alliance MLAs. “We will not allow the Dixon Plan to succeed,” the BJP MLAs shouted.
Amid the din in the House, Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary accused the LoP of insulting the sacrifices of the people of Pir Panchal. “He should apologise. This is an insult. From the time of the tribal invasion to the wars with Pakistan to the militancy of the past 36 years, thousands of people of Pir Panchal have rendered countless sacrifices,” he said.
As the uproar continued in the House, the Speaker adjourned proceedings for 15 minutes-the first adjournment during the ongoing budget session—(KNO)
