Examiner Bureau | Jammu: High drama unfolded in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed regret over his controversial “shoe-beating” remark made during the general discussion on the J&K Budget, following sustained protests by BJP legislators.
The controversy, which dominated proceedings for much of the day, saw BJP members staging vociferous protests inside the House since morning. The opposition even walked out during Question Hour after nearly half an hour of sloganeering, demanding that the Chief Minister return to the Assembly and tender an unconditional apology for what they termed an “unparliamentary” statement.
Seeking to defuse tensions, the Chief Minister requested Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to expunge his remarks from the records if they were found to be inappropriate. However, the political temperature remained high. Omar briefly entered the House towards the end of Question Hour to move the listed Bill to amend the J&K State Civil Courts Act, but left soon after—prompting BJP members to resume their protest, objecting to his absence.
As the discussion on demands for grants commenced, opposition MLAs gathered in the well of the House, raising slogans and urging the Chair to direct the Chief Minister to retract his statement formally.
At around 12:11 pm, Omar re-entered the Assembly. BJP MLA Sham Sharma reiterated the demand for withdrawal of the remark, suggesting it may have been a “slip of the tongue.” In a brief but pointed response, the Chief Minister said, “Had they given me an opportunity to speak yesterday, I would have withdrawn my remarks. But they did not.”
He also took a swipe at the absent Leader of the Opposition, accusing him of unnecessarily dragging his family into the controversy. “Your field commander left, but I would not. I care about the Opposition MLAs and want them not to miss raising issues concerning their electorate,” Omar remarked before exiting the House once again.
The episode underscored the sharp political exchanges dominating the ongoing Budget session, with both sides standing firm even as the Chief Minister signalled a conciliatory note by expressing regret.
