Riyaz ul Khaliq
SRINAGAR
Ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was Saturday humiliated in the Lower House as right wing Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) questioned as how PDP led coalition government revoked Publix Safety Act slapped on lunatic youth from Doda accused of desecrating a temple in winter capital on June 12, 2016.
Raising the issue, BJP Lawmaker, R S Pathania while waving some book of law told Speaker that “law was violated as the government revoked the PSA on Yasir – the lunatic youth”.
Notably, PDP’s Law Minister Ab Haq Khan while detailing the situation in Lower House after alleged desecration of a temple in Janipur area of Jammu had said, “the alleged act was carried by a lunatic youth who has been detained forthwith.”
The aftermath of the alleged desecration had witnessed violence in parts of winter capital while government had suspended internet in the area to stop spread of uncertainty.
“One person has disturbed atmosphere of J&K and this government has revoked the PSA slapped on it,” Pathania told the Speaker, “how can this happen? The law has been violated.”
Pathania was supported by his party colleagues who stood from their seats including BJP J&K head Sat Paul Sharma.
But the demand of Pathania snowballed into a major demand of Opposition Lawmakers led by National Conference who raised anti-government slogans.
Independent Lawmaker from Langate was seen in verbal fight with BJP men including Independent Pawan Gupta. “Who released 22 persons accused of violence and attack on Police Station post alleged temple desecration?” Rasheed asked the government.
Reportedly, 22 persons who belonged to Hindu nationalist ABVP were released the day they were arrested by police. They were accused violence in post alleged temple desecration in Jammu.
“This is contempt of house; how was PSA revoked?” Pathania continued and even threatening that he will walk out of the house if his demand was not acted upon.
Angry over what was the demand of BJP, Rasheed started asked PDP led government, “what happened to killers of Zahid Bhat who was burnt alive in Udhampur?”
National Conference joined the protest and amid slogans: ‘Zahid Kay Qaatilyun Ko; Phaansi Do, PHaasni Do!’
NC Lawmaker, Adv Ab Majeed Larmi asked Law Minister to tell the house as what was the status of this case in which Zahid, an Islamabad resident, was burnt alive by communal goons in Udhampur.
“Why can’t killers of Zahid and Ishtiyaq be booked under PSA?” Rasheed questioned.
“Please stop someday, some time!” Law Minister, Ab Haq Khan, told Rasheed.
“There are newspaper reports that the youth (accused of desecration) is a lunatic. He is under custody of Police. And police have not compelling circumstances that the person bee booked under PSA,” Minister told the house after Speaker Gupta asked government to respond to the concerns of BJP Lawmakers.
“District Magistrate has to satisfy him/herself as why to invoke PSA,” he told the house, “Whether he is or not lunatic, medical board will decide and further action will be taken thereafter.”
Pertinent to mention here, on Thursday, PDP Lawmakers had asked government as a lunatic person was booked under PSA. The government had revoked the PSA on the same day saying, “it was wrong to book such a person under PSA.” The government had even said that it will investigate what had led to slapping of PSA.
However, this order of the PDP-BJP Government didn’t go well with BJP and since the n have been raising the issue.
The questioning of government order to revoke PSA by BJP invited criticism by National Conference to the PDP led government.
The Opposition Lawmakers pressurised government to tell the house as what happened to Zahid killing case.
Minister Ab Haq Khan while pleading BJP members “for a Minute”, addressed Opposition benches: “We are being watched across state. You are senior members; we learn from you and all of us here know what is discussed during Question Hour.”
This comment of Minister Khan angered National Conference members forcing A Sagar and Mubarak Gul to stand up. “You teach your partners not us,” Sagar responded Khan, “tell them what to discuss what.”
Without responding to BJP’s Pathania, Minister Khan told Sagar that he was jot referring to them (NC men).
Amid din, Langate Lawmaker addressing BJP said, “we won’t allow you to make Jammu free of Muslims.”
All this was going while Law students from University of Kashmir were watching the proceedings today.
