Jammu MLAs clash in assembly over LoP’s Pir Panjal 'identity' remark

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

• J&K assembly adjourned after uproar over LoP's remarks on Pir Panjal region
• Deputy CM and MLAs demanded apology for comments denying Pir Panjal's existence
• BJP opposed divisional status for Pir Panjal valley and separate Jammu statehood

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The Jammu and Kashmir assembly witnessed stormy scenes on Thursday as the House was briefly adjourned following an uproar over alleged unwarranted remarks made by the leader of opposition (LoP), Sunil Sharma, regarding the Pir Panjal region.

The controversy stems from an interview given by the LoP to a news portal on Tuesday. When questioned about the demand for a National Law University (NLU) in the Pir Panjal region, Sharma reportedly said he did not know much about the area and no such area by the name Pir Panjal existed.

This triggered a sharp reaction from the treasury benches and Independent legislators representing the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, which together constitute the Pir Panjal belt.

Pir Panjal and the Chenab Valley are demanding a National Law University in their respective areas following protests in Jammu’s Hindu heartland seeking the university in their backyard. Chief minister Omar Abdullah had earlier proposed setting up the university in Kashmir.

Pir Panjal comprises two border districts — Poonch and Rajouri. The Chenab Valley has three districts — Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar. While Sharma is from Kishtwar, it is unclear whether he also opposes the existence of the Chenab Valley region.

The protest was led by deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary and included all seven MLAs from the region, including cabinet minister Javed Ahmed Rana and legislators Javid Choudhary, Aijaz Jan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Independents Choudhary Akram and Muzaffar Khan.

While BJP MLAs stood in support of their leader, Sharma remained seated as the deputy CM demanded an unconditional written apology, asserting that the House would not be allowed to function otherwise.

Meanwhile,  the BJP in J&K has stepped back on the demand of separate Statehood for the Jammu region and opposed any divisional status for the Pir Panjal valley, comprising Rajouri and Poonch, in the J&K Assembly on Wednesday (February 4, 2026), amid uproarious scenes and walkouts.