Ruckus Erupts in J&K House Over U.S.–Israel Strikes on Iran

What are you doing? The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was thrown into turmoil on Friday as the second leg of the budget session reconvened after a five-week break. As soon as the hearings began, members of the National Conference, CPI(M), Congress, PDP and a few Independents stood up with slogans expressing solidarity with Iran, while BJP legislators responded with a demand for the establishment of a National Law University in Jammu. The noise quickly drowned out the session, prompting Speaker Abdul Rahim Pretty to adjourn the House for thirty minutes.

When the House reconvened, National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq pressured the Leader of the House of Representatives to issue an official statement condemning the ongoing war against Iran. This led to a series of brief but impassioned interventions by MLAs on both sides of the aisle; some supported the call, while others opposed it.

Prime Minister Omar Abdullah initially stated that the Parliament was clearly divided on this issue and suggested that a structured discussion rather than a one-sided statement might be more appropriate. He asked the speaker to determine the best path forward.

After hearing the views of a large number of members, Speaker Pretty still called on the Prime Minister to make a statement and noted that the country’s Parliament was also considering the issue. Abdullah later strongly condemned the conflict, describing it as an “unjust and illegal war” imposed on Iran. He said no accusation could adequately reflect the extent of human suffering, including the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamani, his relatives and close friends. He emphasized that the bombing of a school, which resulted in the death of many female students, was one of the most terrible events in recent history.

Abdullah questioned the changing justifications offered by the United States, noting that America’s statements had shifted from regime change to security concerns and oil prices, suggesting that even Washington lacked clarity on the purpose of the conflict. While responding to BJP members who argued that the Assembly should not discuss issues unrelated to the region, he opposed it, saying the war had direct consequences for Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out the large number of Indian citizens living in Iran, long queues in front of petrol pumps and the emotional distress experienced by people in the region.

Acknowledging that the House could not end the war alone, Abdullah reminded members that the Central government has often emphasized its strong diplomatic ties with countries around the world. He said that India has historically maintained close relations with Iran as well as the US, Israel and Iran’s neighboring states. Given this, he argued, there should be no objection to the House collectively calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his office and personal diplomatic relations to help end the conflict. He said such a call would aim to alleviate the suffering of the Iranian people and enable Iran to peacefully re-engage with the international community.

Hitting out at the prime minister, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti wrote in ‘X’ that it was “deeply disheartening” that the J&K leader – “the only Muslim prime minister of India’s only Muslim-majority state” – took a month to unequivocally condemn Israel’s attack on Iran.

The former prime minister noted that even the Punjab Assembly “acted quickly” and became the first legislature in the country to pass a resolution condemning the strike and expressing solidarity with Iran.

“Yet the J&K government has shown no such urgency or genuine concern,” he added, accusing the government of “limiting itself to rhetoric and speeches rather than taking a clear and principled stand”.

Meanwhile, the Assembly witnessed rowdy scenes as BJP legislators staged a protest demanding the establishment of a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu. Shouting slogans and carrying banners, BJP MPs put pressure on the government to clarify the proposed location of the university, alleging that Jammu has been deprived of premier educational institutions for a long time. Their protests briefly disrupted the hearings as the assembly attempted to begin its scheduled business.

It was under this cloud of protest that the second leg of the Budget Session began in the winter capital Jammu; Opposition parties are expected to intensify pressure on the government due to unfulfilled poll promises, alleged regional disparities and the long-awaited demand for the restoration of the state.

Amid political wrangling, former minister and J&K People’s Conference president Sajjad Gani Lone also preferred ‘X’ and reminded that Prime Minister Abdullah had assured the House in October last year that the National Law University would start operating from Ompora in the Budgam district of the Kashmir Valley by 2026.

“Why has no notification been issued yet for establishment of Law University at Ompora, Budgam under Section 3 of the J&K NLU Act?” he asked.

Lone pointed out that the authority to establish the university lies entirely with the J&K government. It also stated that if the management plans to take part in the Common Law Entrance Test (CLAT), conducted by a consortium of more than 20 law universities across India, it will be impossible to start classes in 2026 as this year’s exam has already been completed.