MLA Syed Bashir Ahmad slaps marshal in J&K assembly

Parliamentary democracy was shamed in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday when a People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Syed Bashir Ahmad slapped a marshal who was acting on the Speaker's orders to evict the shouting legislators from the House.

The incident occurred during a discussion on grants in the House. Syed Bashir Ahmad, who represents Rajpora constituency of south Kashmir's Pulwama district, stormed into the well while protesting against the non-availability of ration to the Kashmiri pandits in the migrant camps.

Bashir raised slogans prompting the speaker to order marshals to evict him from the House. As the marshals were taking him out, he slapped one of them causing an ugly situation in the House, which has been witnessing pandemonium repeatedly.

"Kashmiri pandits had told me that they had not got the ration. I took up the issue but they did not allow me to speak," said Bashir.

PDP was guarded in its reaction, saying although they did not approve of Bashir's action, but the issue was an emotional one that resonated with every Kashmiri. "This was an emotional issue and it involved migrant's suffering. The member was raising the issue which is close to the heart of every kashmiri irrespective of the religion. We do not approve of what happened in the House. But it is the same House where only a few days ago, marshals and staff caused serious injuries to one of our MLAs who was then hospitalised," said PDP's chief spokesperson Naem Akthar.

Akthar lambasted the government for the insensitivity towards the people of the state. "The government could have easily assured the member about the issue which he had raised. But they are insensitive to the problems,"