The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution calling for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to the region. The significant legislative move occurred on Monday, marked by a walkout staged by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The resolution, initially presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the preceding Friday, was deferred to allow for further discussion among assembly members.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the BJP’s protest against the resolution was consistent, extending from Friday’s proceedings to Monday’s session. Assembly members from the BJP reportedly entered the well of the House, tore official papers, and engaged in what were described as mock proceedings to voice their dissent. The core of the BJP’s objection appeared to be the resolution’s references to autonomy and special status, which the party deemed an affront to the Indian Constitution.
The adopted resolution explicitly states, “In addition to the resolutions passed by this House on 26, June 2000 and 6 November, 2024, the House calls upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and resolves that this resolution be forwarded to the Government of India.” This marks a continuation of past legislative efforts by the assembly to regain its former status. Previously, on June 26, 2000, the National Conference-led government under Farooq Abdullah had passed a resolution advocating for the restoration of greater autonomy as it existed prior to August 9, 1953. More recently, on November 6, 2024, the assembly passed another resolution specifically seeking the reinstatement of the region’s special status.
During the debate leading up to the vote, several members, including those from the ruling National Conference, proposed amendments to the resolution. A significant number of these amendments aimed to include a demand for the restoration of special status alongside the call for statehood. However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged his colleagues to withdraw these amendments. He articulated that pressing these amendments could inadvertently provide the BJP with a pretext to oppose the resolution, suggesting that the party might have strategically moved amendments to complicate the process. Abdullah emphasized that the assembly had already twice passed resolutions concerning special status, first during Farooq Abdullah’s tenure and again in 2024 shortly after the current government’s formation. He reiterated that special status is a unique provision not available to other states and that the government had already formally requested the Centre to restore the special provisions that were in place before 2019. The Chief Minister’s appeal was to ensure a unified front for the primary objective of restoring statehood.
Following the Chief Minister’s appeal, the Speaker inquired of the members if they intended to withdraw their amendments. All eight Members of the Legislative Assembly who had proposed amendments agreed to do so. Subsequently, the Speaker proceeded to put the main resolution to a vote. The BJP members continued their protest throughout this process. The resolution was ultimately passed through a voice vote, with the BJP members absent from the House due to their walkout.
The BJP’s stance, as communicated by its members, was that any mention of autonomy and special status within the resolution constituted an insult to the Constitution. The party indicated its unwillingness to engage in any discussion or allow the passage of such a resolution in the assembly. This opposition highlights the deep political divisions surrounding the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories in 2019.
The passage of this resolution by the J&K Assembly signifies a strong legislative push from the regional political leadership for the restoration of full statehood. It underscores the ongoing demand for political empowerment and a return to the previous constitutional arrangement. The Chief Minister’s strategy to focus solely on statehood in the final resolution, while acknowledging past demands for special status, appears aimed at maximizing the chances of the resolution gaining traction with the central government. The BJP’s continued opposition, however, indicates that the path to achieving statehood remains politically contentious, with differing interpretations of constitutional propriety and regional aspirations at play. The resolution’s forwarding to the Government of India sets the stage for potential future deliberations or political engagements on the matter.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.