MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid assaulted

Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid was on Thursday (October 8) thrashed by some BJP legislators in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for throwing a beef party here, triggering an uproar from the opposition which staged a walkout. The manhandling of the MLA, who had thrown a beef party at the MLA hostel here yesterday, came on a day the Assembly is scheduled to take up a bill on the ban on the meat. As BJP MLAs assaulted him, several NC and Congress MLAs rushed to save him. The assault on the floor of the House triggered an angry reaction from the opposition with National Conference leader Omar Abdullah saying it was impossible to digest the incident. "What happened today is impossible to digest. An honourable member being assaulted in the House. It seems that they wanted to murder him (Rashid). If he had done anything that was objectionable that should have been put on record," the former Chief Minister said. On the beef ban issue, Omar said, "Our sentiments are also attached to this issue... We don't force our religion on you. My religion prohibits consumption of alcohol and pork... Do I assault everyone who eats pork or alcohol," he said, demanding that the Chief Minister make a statement on the issue.