The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday passed a resolution calling upon the Government of India to immediately and urgently restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution was passed by voice vote after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responded to the debate, while BJP members, who had been protesting during the proceedings, walked out when the resolution was put to vote.
The resolution referred to earlier resolutions passed by the House on June 26, 2000, and November 6, 2024, and called for the latest resolution to be forwarded to the Government of India. Omar had moved the resolution on Friday, following which several members proposed amendments seeking references to Articles 370 and 35A. The amendments were subsequently withdrawn after discussions and an appeal from the Speaker.
During the debate, Omar said the resolution was specifically about restoration of statehood and not a demand for autonomy or the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. He said including those issues in the resolution could provide grounds for the BJP to oppose it. The BJP had objected to the reference to the 2000 autonomy resolution when Omar introduced the measure in the House.
Omar also questioned the delay in restoring statehood, referring to what he described as commitments made by the Centre and the Supreme Court's direction concerning restoration after the Assembly elections. He argued that Jammu and Kashmir's present status as a Union Territory had created administrative difficulties, citing disagreements over legal and administrative matters as examples. He also claimed that the Union Territory had remained without an Advocate General for two years.
The BJP members opposed the resolution and protested during the proceedings before leaving the House when it was put to a vote. The resolution nevertheless received no votes against it because of the walk-out. The BJP had earlier objected to the inclusion of the 2000 autonomy resolution, while ruling National Conference and Congress members supported the statehood resolution during the debate.
The latest resolution follows earlier efforts by the Omar Abdullah-led government to seek restoration of full statehood. The Chief Minister had moved the resolution after the Assembly's autumn session began, saying the demand had been made following the completion of delimitation and Assembly elections. The issue remains a point of political disagreement between the ruling parties in Jammu and Kashmir and the BJP opposition.