SRINAGAR: On the opening day of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s autumn session Thursday, heated exchanges erupted between the ruling National Conference (NC) and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) throughout obituary references, sparked by discussions on the function of former governor Satya Pal Malik within the abrogation of Article 370.
Malik, the final governor of the erstwhile state of J&Ok, handed away in August 2025. The controversy started when NC MLA Bashir Ahmed Veeri described Malik’s function as “controversial” and referred to the “fax machine fiasco”, a weird and extensively ridiculed episode throughout his tenure as Governor of J&Ok in November 2018.
It unfolded amid intense political maneuvering following the collapse of the BJP-PDP coalition authorities earlier that yr, which had left the state beneath President’s Rule. The incident centered on Malik’s abrupt determination to dissolve the J&Ok Legislative Assembly simply hours after opposition events staked their claims to type a brand new authorities, which, he had stated, “by no means reached” him because of a malfunctioning fax machine at Raj Bhavan.
Veeri’s assertion prompted BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma to demand the remarks be expunged. He strongly criticised the NC member for violating established parliamentary decorum by introducing a political controversy throughout an obituary reference. Such events are historically devoted to paying respectful tributes and highlighting the constructive contributions of the deceased, he asserted and argued that the member’s remarks have been inappropriate, undermining the solemnity of the second and deviating from the Assembly’s customary apply of sustaining dignity and unity in honouring those that have handed.
Speaker Abdur Rahim Rather urged Veeri to respect the deceased however declined to expunge the feedback.
CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami asserted that it’s acceptable to debate the actions of a deceased public determine throughout an obituary reference within the Assembly, as their deeds prolong past their private life and have vital impacts on the broader public. He emphasised that evaluating the contributions and choices of people who held public workplace is a authentic train, offered it’s carried out respectfully and inside the bounds of decorum. Tarigami argued that such discussions honour the democratic course of by fostering accountability and studying from the legacy of those that formed the lives of the plenty by means of their public roles.
Congress chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir praised Malik as an outspoken and standard chief who confronted struggles in his ultimate days to uphold the reality, regardless of any advantages or hardships tied to the Article 370 determination. PDP MLA Rafiq Naik emphasised avoiding damaging remarks throughout tributes, stating, “We might have variations, however we must always communicate properly of the deceased.” He briefly raised the arrest of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik beneath J&Ok’s robust regulation Public Safety Act, however the Speaker clarified that obituary references have been reserved for the deceased and “he (Malik) is alive”.
Jal Shakti, forest and tribal affairs minister Javed Rana described the ultimate days of Malik marked by extreme bodily struggling and isolation amid ongoing political controversies as “makafat-e-amal”—a Persian-Urdu time period which means retribution for one’s deeds, akin to the idea of karma or divine justice.
J&Ok Awami Ittehad Party MLA Sheikh Khursheed acknowledged Malik’s honesty and his advocacy for farmers’ points, whereas defending constructive criticism of his tenure as J&Ok’s final governor. BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa known as August 5, 2019—the day Article 370 was abrogated—a historic day, crediting the BJP for recognising Malik’s expertise by appointing him governor of 5 states. He famous the coincidence of Malik’s passing on August 5, 2025, prompting protests from some NC MLAs. Malik had a distinguished profession, serving as governor of Bihar, Odisha, J&Ok, Goa, and Meghalaya apart from a minister on the Centre and member of each Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah paid tributes to former legislators and ministers, urging the Speaker to analyze the omission of Muhammad Sultan Panditpuri from the obituary checklist. He emphasised studying from the contributions of the deceased, acknowledging that errors—intentional or unintentional—are human. He urged streamlining obituary references, just like parliamentary practices, to keep away from political debates. On Malik, Abdullah famous his service as an MLA, minister, and governor, including, “His choices might have suited the occasions, regardless of differing opinions.”
The Chief Minister paid a heartfelt tribute to former NC legislator Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, lauding him as a brave chief who remained steadfast in his service to the individuals regardless of surviving a big militant assault through the peak of militancy in Kashmir which resulted within the lack of considered one of his legs. He emphasised that Shaheen not solely upheld the values and banner of the NC but additionally proudly carried the tricolor, symbolising his unwavering dedication to nationwide unity and resilience within the face of adversity.
Tensions escalated within the House once more when Veeri, whereas paying respects to BJP’s former MLC Ramesh Arora, counseled his secular outlook, noting it was exceptional “regardless of his affiliation with the communal RSS-BJP.” The remark sparked quick outrage amongst BJP legislators, led by Sharma, who rose in protest and demanded motion in opposition to Veeri for what they deemed a derogatory comment.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened, urging members to chorus from utilizing controversial or inflammatory language throughout obituary references to take care of the solemnity of the event.
In one other impassioned second, NC MLA Ajaz Ahmed Jan from Poonch drew the House’s consideration to the violence in Palestine, significantly highlighting the tragic lack of kids and ladies because of Israeli actions in Gaza. Jan fervently appealed to the Speaker to include the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza into the day’s proceedings, calling on the House to unite in condemning the atrocities and advocating for justice and compassion for the affected civilians.
