As soon as the autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly began on Thursday, the Obituary references to Late Governor Satya Pal Malik triggered heated exchanges between the ruling NC and opposition BJP.
NC Legislator Bashir Ahmad Veeri, while remembering the 10th and last governor of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, said he was a controversial figure in the politics of the place, and he will be remembered for his role in the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The remarks quickly triggered a fierce response from the BJP member Sham Lal Sharma, who demanded that the remarks be expunged from the House proceedings.
House speaker Abdul Rahim Rather quickly took note of the reference and asked Veeri to respect the deceased, though he did not entertain Sharma's request to expunge the remarks, saying house members can express their views freely.
Congress leader G A Mir called Malik a good leader for his brave and outspoken personality, and said, “Malik might have benefited from it (Article 370 abrogation), but he suffered as well. We saw how he had to struggle in his last days to put the truth before the people."
PDP MLA Rafiq Naik, terming Malik as a controversial personality, said, “We may have differences, but since he (Malik) has left us, we should speak well of him.”
CPI (M) MLA M Y Tarigami and AIP Legislator Sheikh Khurshid said, “Criticism with decency and within limits must be allowed,” adding, “Malik’s legacy is marred by the decisions because of which the people of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday paid respects to the late leader, saying, “Those whom we are paying respects to today have worked to do something better. Nobody among us is an angel. Mistakes are bound to happen either intentionally or unintentionally.”
The obituary session, especially on the former Governor Satya Pal Malik, has left the legislators divided in Jammu and Kashmir. While some praised him for good leadership, others criticised him for playing an active role in disempowering the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which they believe started on August 5, 2019.
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