By Sarwar Kashani, IANS,
Srinagar : Is the new Jammu and Kashmir legislative complex here haunted by evil spirits that have prompted the resignation of two chief ministers and ugly scenes? Sounds naive, but that is exactly what assembly officials and even some legislators who quietly conducted an elaborate religious ritual to exorcise the spirits believe.
After Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resignation on July 28 and unprecedented scenes of chaos in the assembly, officials of the Kashmir assembly organised a religious ritual Wednesday evening to ward off “evil”.
Twenty-five senior Muslim clerics of the Kashmir Valley were invited for a special ceremonial ritual held in the legislative complex, situated on the banks of the Jhelum in the heart of the city, an official said.
The clerics recited ‘durood-e-najaat’ — special Arabic verses which Muslims believe help in warding off the jinx and black magic — and distributed sweets after it was over.
“The ritual was held because we believe there is some evil spirit in the newly constructed complex,” the official told IANS requesting anonymity as the event was kept under wraps.
“Since the new complex was thrown open last year, unprecedented incidents have been happening in the house,” he said.
The new complex held its first session July 7 last year. Incidentally, then chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was forced to resign from the post on the same day over the bitter Amarnath land row. The assembly was dissolved soon after and new elections were held in November-December last year.
Since the capital was in Jammu then, the newly elected members of the house met and took oath in the state’s winter capital.
When the house met for its budget session July 27 this year in the new complex in Srinagar, it began with chaos and confusion.
On the first day of the budget session, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti attacked Speaker Mohammed Akber Lone and snatched his mike.
Mehbooba, protesting against the rape and murder of two women in Shopian, wanted the speaker to raise the issue and hold a debate on government’s handling.
The speaker refused and protesting PDP members were marshalled out. Mehbooba went towards Lone and snatched his mike.
On the second day of the budget session, Abdullah was linked to a 2006 prostitution racket by a PDP member. An emotional Abdullah offered to resign in the wake of sex slur and actually submitted the letter of resignation to governor.
Abdullah later withdrew his resignation after he was given a clean chit in the sex scandal that rocked the valley with violent protests three years ago.
The third day of the session was equally uproarious and Abdullah stayed away from the proceedings.
The house later went for a brief break and before resuming business Friday, officials held the ritual Wednesday to bring back peace.
The new “jinxed” assembly complex was a dream project of former chief minister Azad. The construction of the building was started Sep 28, 1981 with the original cost of Rs.6.8 crore.
Its foundation was laid by the then chief minister late Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, the grandfather of Omar Abdullah. The work on the complex was stopped after two years.
The work was resumed in 1997 but stopped in 1998 after Rs.6 crore more had been spent.
A decision to restart construction was taken by Azad in September 2007. The work was completed at a cost of Rs.37 crore in a record nine months. This state-of-the-art building accommodates both houses of the legislature.