Associated News Bureau

J&K Assembly Passes Statehood Resolution Amid BJP Protest , BJP Members Walk Out After Raising Objections Over References to Earlier Resolutions

Srinagar, September 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution calling for the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir amid strong protests and sloganeering by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, who later staged a walkout from the House. The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 25, was passed through a voice vote despite continued opposition from BJP legislators. Following the walkout, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings until Tuesday morning. The resolution states that, in addition to the resolutions passed by the House on June 26, 2000, and November 6, 2024, the Assembly calls upon the Government of India to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir immediately and on an urgent basis. It also provides that the resolution be forwarded to the Government of India. The June 26, 2000 resolution, passed during the National Conference government led by then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, had sought restoration of greater autonomy based on the constitutional position that existed prior to August 9, 1953. The Assembly had also passed a resolution on November 6, 2024, calling for dialogue on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status and constitutional safeguards. During Monday's proceedings, BJP members strongly objected to references to the earlier resolutions concerning autonomy and special status. The protests intensified as BJP legislators entered the Well of the House, raised slogans and tore business papers. A parallel mock proceeding was also conducted by the protesting members. The BJP members also sought to move a motion for the removal of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, while maintaining that references to autonomy and special status should not form part of a resolution seeking restoration of statehood. Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP was committed to the restoration of statehood but objected to the language of the resolution and certain references to earlier resolutions. Meanwhile, several members, including those from the ruling National Conference, proposed amendments seeking, among other things, inclusion of a demand for restoration of special status. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed to the members to withdraw the proposed amendments, saying that the Assembly had already passed two resolutions concerning special status. Abdullah said the primary objective of the present resolution was to urge the Government of India to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and cautioned that amendments could provide the BJP with an additional ground to oppose the resolution. Following the Chief Minister's appeal, the Speaker asked the members whether they wished to press their amendments. All eight members agreed to withdraw their amendments, after which the resolution was put to a vote. As BJP members continued their protests and raised slogans, the Speaker declared the resolution passed by voice vote. The BJP legislators subsequently walked out of the House. The BJP maintained that references to autonomy and special status amounted to disrespect to the Constitution and said it would not allow such a resolution to be passed without raising objections. The passage of the resolution marked another occasion on which the issue of restoration of full statehood was taken up by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, with references to the resolutions passed in 2000 and 2024 emerging as the principal point of disagreement during the proceedings.