Jammu, March 28 – The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Saturday unanimously condemned the recent assassination attempt on National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, with several members demanding a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge into the incident.
Both the Treasury and opposition benches termed the incident deeply disturbing and a glaring security lapse, and some members demanded that the attacker be declared a "terrorist" and handed exemplary punishment.
Abdullah, a former chief minister, had a miraculous escape on March 11 when 63-year-old Kamal Singh, a resident of Purani Mandi area of Jammu, opened fire from close range while the politician was leaving a wedding function in the Greater Kailash area. The attacker was overpowered and arrested with a revolver.
The police have constituted a special investigation team (SIT) under the supervision of a deputy inspector general of Police (DIG) to probe the attack.
Raising serious concerns over the absence of adequate police at the venue, legislators questioned how an attacker was able to get so close to 88-year-old Abdullah, calling the breach "unacceptable" and demanding accountability.
Concluding the over two-hour long discussion, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha had interacted with Abdullah following the incident and expressed confidence that the investigation would be completed, with the culprit receiving exemplary punishment.
"What we have discussed today must be strongly conveyed and amplified. Those responsible for law and order must clearly understand that this is not an ordinary incident; it is a serious matter connected to broader concerns. Abdullah is not an ordinary individual; he is a nationally and internationally recognised personality who has served the country during difficult times," Rather said.
He said the House had collectively expressed concern and assured that the matter would be pursued and that necessary steps should be taken to prevent recurrence.
"There are also concerns about the conduct and mindset of the individual involved. Reports suggest that he showed no remorse and behaved in a manner that indicates deeper issues, which need thorough investigation," the speaker said.
As the house assembled for the day, several National Conference legislators informed the chair that they had moved an adjournment motion to discuss the attack on Abdullah.
The speaker, however, ensured a peaceful conclusion of the question hour and later allowed a discussion on the incident.
"I have received a notice for an adjournment motion from several NC legislators...It should have been submitted an hour earlier, but given that the issue is of serious concern to all members of the House, I am allowing a discussion without the need for an adjournment motion," said Rather.
BJP's Surjit Singh Slathia said they support the discussion as Abdullah is a towering political personality.
"We consider the attack on Abdullah as an attack on secularism, humanity, and an attack on brotherhood. Such an act is a disgrace, and no matter how strongly we condemn it, it will still not be enough," he said, adding a comprehensive investigation must be carried out and the larger conspiracy behind it must also be uncovered.
Health Minister Sakeena Itoo thanked the members for their unanimous concern over the incident and said the towering leader had repeatedly faced threats yet stood firm.
"It is deeply concerning that adequate security was not in place during his attendance at a wedding, and it is only by the grace of Allah that he survived. Despite such a serious lapse, no action, including suspension of any official, has been taken, which raises grave concerns about accountability.
"This House must be presented with a transparent, time-bound investigation report to ensure truth and prevent recurrence, because if a leader of Abdullah's stature is not safe, it raises serious questions about the security of every citizen in J&K," she said.
Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone called Abdullah a dynamic and respected leader, and urged that the individual who saved him be identified and honoured with a civil award for bravery.
Reflecting on the deep scars left by violence, including his own personal loss, he said such incidents reopen old wounds for many in the House who have suffered similar tragedies.
He stressed that security must never be compromised or used selectively, noting that past lapses raise serious concerns about the safety of public representatives.
Emphasising that many families have endured such pain, he called for stronger, non-political security measures, while praying for Abdullah's long life and hoping this incident serves as a lesson to prevent such occurrences in the future.
PDP's Waheed Para recalled the uncertainty after the Revocation of Article 370 in 2019 and said the House must adopt a unified stand against any threat to individuals.
He stressed that the issues related to security should remain above politics and the former chief ministers including PDP president Mehbooba Mufti must be ensured proper security and accommodation as per the entitlement.
Describing Abdullah as a humane and inclusive leader who has stood firmly with the nation, CPI(M) legislator M Y Tarigami said the incident raises serious unanswered questions and may reflect attempts to disturb social harmony.
He stressed the need for a transparent investigation with findings shared in the House, while underlining the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions, federal values, and unity in Jammu and Kashmir.
NC leader Saifullah Mir questioned the continued silence of the administration, including the Home Ministry, police, and the Lt Governor's office, over the incident, lack of security, and absence of any official disclosure about the attackers or their motives.
Calling the episode a serious concern, he demanded a transparent, time-bound judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge to uncover the truth and restore public confidence.
BJP Sham Lal Sharma asserted that Abdullah is a towering leader beyond religious labels.
Flagging serious security lapses and warning that such incidents erode institutional credibility, he called for a thorough investigation to establish accountability, noting that even the Union Government has taken the matter seriously.
Sports minister Satish Sharma, Congress Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, BJP's Rajiv Jasrotia and Pawan Gupta, NC's Mubarak Gul, Tanvir Sadiq, Sajad Shaheen, Arjun Singh Raju, Riyaz Bedar, Shafi Ahmad Wani, Mubarak Gul and PDP's Rafiq Ahmad Naik also spoke and supported the demand for time-bound judicial inquiry.