SRINAGAR:
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution calling for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved the resolution, which was adopted by voice vote amid strong protests from BJP legislators. The BJP members staged a walkout during the proceedings.
The resolution referred to earlier resolutions passed by the Assembly in June 2000 and November 2024 and called upon the Government of India to restore full statehood to the Union Territory.
The resolution also called for the document to be forwarded to the Centre.
The debate witnessed heated exchanges between members of the ruling and Opposition benches. BJP legislators opposed the manner in which the resolution was brought before the House and staged protests during the proceedings.
The BJP has said it supports restoration of statehood but has objected to references and formulations contained in the resolution. Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the party supports statehood restoration while opposing references to pre-1953 arrangements.
The passage of the resolution marks another political step by the elected J&K government seeking restoration of the State’s former status. The resolution itself is an appeal to the Centre and does not by itself restore statehood.
The development has also triggered further political confrontation in the Assembly, with the BJP moving a motion seeking removal of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, alleging that he had allowed the resolution to be taken up.