Chaos broke out in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Friday as the National Conference (NC) led protests over the killing of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the ongoing US-Israeli military actions in Iran.
Video footage from the House showed NC legislators raising slogans and holding posters and portraits of Khamenei, triggering sharp reactions from BJP members. The situation quickly escalated into chaos, with a scuffle breaking out between Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone and BJP MLA Yudvir Sethi.
Apart from the NC, the Congress, CPI(M), Independents and opposition PDP — joined in raising slogans against Israel, disrupting proceedings during Question Hour despite repeated appeals from Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to maintain order.
As tensions spiralled, police personnel entered the Assembly premises to restore calm. The House was adjourned for half an hour shortly after the budget session resumed following a five-week recess.
The session, which restarted in Jammu on March 27 after its first phase from February 2 to 20, is scheduled to conclude on April 4.
Speaking to reporters, NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq said the party and the government were standing in solidarity with Iran.
“We stand in solidarity with Iran. The entire National Conference and the J&K government are with them. Just as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier condemned the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in civil society, we are reiterating that stand today,” he said.
He added, “The manner in which Ayatollah Khamenei was killed is unacceptable. No country has the right to attack another. The top leadership of this country should condemn it. Today, we stand with the people of Iran.”
Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned what he described as an “unjust and illegal war imposed on Iran” and expressed condolences over the deaths in the conflict, including Khamenei.
He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use diplomatic channels to help end the war, saying it would be in the interest of humanity.
“On behalf of myself and my colleagues, I strongly condemn this unjust and illegal war imposed on Iran. I express my deepest condolences over the loss of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his associates and all those who have lost their lives in this conflict,” the he said.
“I also make a sincere appeal to our prime minister to use all available diplomatic channels and relationships to help end this war at the earliest. This will benefit not just us, but humanity as a whole,” the Chief Minister further said.
The developments came amid a rapidly escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which began on February 28. US-Israeli strikes led to the killing of Khamenei and several top military and clerical figures. Tehran retaliated by targeting US bases across the Gulf, triggering regional instability and disrupting flight operations.
Despite US President Donald Trump pushing for a ceasefire, fears of a possible US ground invasion persist amid a growing military build-up. Iran has rejected ceasefire proposals from Washington, insisting it will not halt hostilities unless US and Israeli strikes end.
The conflict has also disrupted global trade, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical oil transit chokepoint. Iran has effectively tightened control over the route and targeted US- or Israeli-linked vessels, raising concerns over energy supplies, inflation and global supply chains. However, it has allowed select countries, including India, limited passage for oil shipments.
While the US has proposed a 15-point ceasefire framework, it has simultaneously deployed thousands of additional troops to the region, signalling possible preparations for military action to secure the strait. Iran, in response, has rejected the proposal and floated its own five-point plan, including demands for reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over the strategic waterway.
– Ends
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