Causing much embarrassment to the Congress, its leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday appeared to suggest in the Lok Sabha that Kashmir is “not an internal matter”, a blunder that will be difficult for the party to overlook.

His statements came as Amit Shah on Tuesday moved resolutions in the Lok Sabha to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and to bifurcate the state into two union territories – J-K and Ladakh.

As Chowdhury went on attacking the Government over its controversial move, he attempted a self-goal leaving the party leaders including Sonia Gandhi red-faced.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded the government’s position on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) while referring to a 1994 resolution by the Lok Sabha that the entire Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India.

“I don’t think you are thinking about PoK, you violated all rules and converted a state into a Union Territory overnight,” Chowdhury said.

To this, Home Minister Amit Shah made it clear that Jammu and Kashmir includes “Pak-occupied Kashmir”.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury then asked the government whether Kashmir is an internal matter.

“I’m confused, you say it’s an internal matter. You’ve bifurcated a state but I’m saying, since 1948 as the United Nations is monitoring, is that an internal matter? The Shimla Agreement, the Lahore one, were they internal matters or bilateral? Some days ago, (external affairs minister) Jaishankar ji told (US secretary of state Mike) Pompeo ji that this is a bilateral matter and please do not interfere,” Chowdhury said as the treasury benches erupted in protests.

“So after that also, can Jammu and Kashmir be an internal matter? These are all different takes on the matter,” Chowdhury said.

This prompted Union Home Minister Amit Shah to declare that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.

The statements garnered disappointed and perplexed looks from UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders.

Meanwhile, another leader Manish Tiwari also left several heads scratching with his reference to EL James’s erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey.

Shah then sought clarification on the statement asking him to make it clear if the Congress supported the abrogation of Article 370 or not.

To this, Tewari replied, “Angrezi ki ek kitaab hai… har cheez kaali ya safed nahi hoti. (There is a book in English… everything is not black or white). There are 50 shades of grey in between.”

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, according to reports, has decided not to speak on Kashmir issue in the Lok Sabha.

In an unprecedented move, the Centre had on Monday scrapped Article 370 of the Indian Constitution which gives autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was passed in the Rajya Sabha with over two-thirds majority.

The government has maintained that vested interests did not want the application of Indian laws in Kashmir, which has had a significant impact on investment and led to gender discrimination.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir is under a lockdown with Section 144 imposed across Srinagar and other sensitive areas of the Valley. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah are under house arrest since Monday morning.