Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather today assured the House that appropriate action would be taken against a news portal, following protests by legislators over a video it circulated alleging that an MLA was browsing social media during Assembly proceedings.
As the session began, Karnah MLA Javaid Mirchal of the ruling National Conference staged a protest in the House against the portal for posting a video claiming he was scrolling through his social media account during the sitting. Mirchal clarified that he was actually checking the Assembly’s official business online, not using social media. Several legislators came in support of him.
Supporting him, MLA Nazir Gurezi said a privilege motion would be moved against the news portal for attempting to tarnish the image of a legislator. “The MLA was checking official business on his phone when someone clicked his picture. That news channel should be banned, and we will move a privilege motion,” Gurezi said. “The MLA couldn’t sleep last night. His constituents are accusing him of watching Facebook in the Assembly instead of focusing on public issues.”
Meanwhile, the Speaker assured the House that he would take appropriate action against the defaulter. Today marks the final day of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s autumn session.
