The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly held its first session on Monday after being inactive for six years. The chaos broke out during the meeting when People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para proposed a resolution against the abrogation of Article 370, urging for the restoration of the union territory's special status. 

Despite not being on the agenda, Para, who represents the Pulwama Assembly seat, presented the resolution to recently elected Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and asked for a discussion on the issue during the five-day session. "Although the agenda of the House has been finalised, we believe that your authority as the Speaker allows the inclusion of the resolution, as it reflects the sentiment of the people at large," it said.

There were raucous scenes inside the Assembly shortly after the resolution was submitted, as all 28 Jammu and Kashmir BJP MLAs rose up to protest the action. Para's suspension for bringing the resolution against Assembly rules was demanded by BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma. The members who were demonstrating persisted in their agitation despite the Speaker's repeated requests to take their seats. He said he has not yet received the resolution and would review it when it does. 

National Conference MLAs criticised BJP members for continuing their protest and disrupting the House proceedings. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the resolution has "no importance and it is only for the cameras" while addressing the meeting. "How the House will reflect and discuss this (matter) will not be decided by any one member. If there was a purpose behind it (resolution), then they would have discussed this with us before," he said. The Chief Minister also acknowledged that the decision to repeal Article 370 on August 5, 2019, was not well received by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"My government will make all efforts for the restoration of full statehood... It would be a reciprocation of the faith reposed by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in our democratic institutions," said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on his part. Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of the PDP, expressed her pride in Waheed Para for submitting the resolution. "Proud of Waheed Para for introducing a resolution in the JK Assembly opposing the revocation of Article 370 and resolving to restore the special status. God bless you," she posted on X. ‘

Article 370 was a rule in the Constitution that gave special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. This meant that the region could have its own constitution and flag, and it had control over its internal affairs. However, it still had to follow the central government for matters like defence, communications, and foreign relations. Article 370 was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019, thereby eliminating Jammu and Kashmir's special status and dividing it into two Union Territories- Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.