Unprecedented scenes were witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today with an Independent legislator being thrashed by BJP members for throwing a beef party, leading to pandemonium and opposition walkout.
Engineer Rashid, the Independent MLA, and some BJP MLAs were involved in a physical clash inside the House, forcing intervention by the marshals to defuse the situation.
Rashid, who hosted beef party yesterday to defy High Court's directive on implementation of beef ban, was hit by the BJP MLAs after which he slapped back some of the rivals. Several NC and Congress MLAs rushed to save him.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, a senior leader of BJP, later apologised for the incident in which his party colleagues were involved.
Rashid claimed that six to eight BJP legislators attacked him soon after he entered the House.
"As soon as the House started, I went to take my seat. The BJP MLAs, six to eight in number, came (towards me). While some of them grabbed me by neck and legs, others threw blows on my chest and I turned unconscious," Rashid said.
"I really don't know what happened after that. (Opposition leader and former Chief Minister) Omar (Abdullah) (along with party colleagues) A M Sagar and Akbar Lone and Congress MLAs came and took me from my place," he said.
The assault on the floor of the House triggered an angry reaction from the opposition.
Condemning the assault, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said sentiments should be kept under check.
"I condemn this incident. The House has good tradition ....Sentiments should be kept under control. I ask Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh to apologise for the misconduct of his party MLAs," he said.
Singh, on his part said, "We do not approve of what happened in the Assembly today. But what happened in the MLAs hostel yesterday was also wrong," referring to beef party.
Singh stopped short of apologising for the incident following which the entire opposition staged a walkout.
Opposition members later returned to the House after Law Minister Basharat Bukhari assured them that that the Deputy Chief Minister would tender an apology for the incident.
As soon as the NC members came to the House and before the start of the Zero Hour, Singh said, "I feel sorry for the incident, it was unfortunate .... I have condemned it earlier also."
BJP MLA Ravinder Raina said Rashid had hurt the sentiments of Hindus. "It was not a case of physical manhandling. He has hurt the sentiments of Hindus. I did not beat him," he said.
Condemning the incident, Abdullah said, "What happened today is impossible to digest. An honourable member being assaulted in the House. It seems that they wanted to murder him (Rashid). If he had done anything that was objectionable that should have been put on record.
