Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on September 28 adopted a resolution calling for the immediate restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory, after a debate that saw members of the Bharatiya Janata Party raise objections and stage a walkout.
Motion moved by Chief Minister, amendments withdrawn
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved the resolution on September 25; during the ensuing debate at least 10 legislators submitted amendments intended to strengthen and clarify its language, but those proposals were later withdrawn and the original motion was put to the House and passed, according to media reports.
Legislators from the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and opposition parties — including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Peoples Conference (JKPC) — spoke in favour of the demand during the autumn session. Members of the BJP objected to references in the text to earlier Assembly resolutions and staged a walkout during proceedings.
Text of the resolution and past references
The resolution, as circulated in the House, recalled two earlier measures: one passed on 26 June 2000, which sought autonomy and a return to the region’s pre-1953 status, and a second adopted on 6 November 2024. The current text urges the Government of India for the "immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood" and requests that the resolution be forwarded to the Union administration.
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 26 June 2000 | Assembly resolution seeking autonomy and pre-1953 status |
| 6 November 2024 | Assembly resolution on statehood (as referenced) |
| 25–28 September 2026 | Chief Minister moved the latest resolution; House passed it on 28 September |
Chief Minister's clarification and concerns
During the debate, the Chief Minister sought to dissociate the demand for statehood from demands for revival of Articles 370 and 35A, asking BJP members to indicate where the resolution asked them to vote for restoration of those provisions. He told the Assembly that the resolution only sought a vote for statehood.
"We have only asked for vote for statehood," the Chief Minister said, according to reports.
Omar Abdullah also urged the Centre to define what it meant by phrases such as "as soon as possible" and "at an appropriate time" when dealing with statehood demands. He warned against linking the quest for restoration of statehood with security concerns or incidents of militancy, and requested the Union government to clarify the appropriate timing for such a political decision.
Political reactions and walkout
JKNC members described the resolution as historic. Tanvir Sadiq, MLA and the party's chief spokesperson from Srinagar's Zadibal constituency, said the House had made history in taking the step, as reported.
BJP members registered objections, chiefly to the resolution's linkage to prior House decisions, and staged a walkout during the session. Sources close to proceedings indicated the BJP was particularly aggrieved by references to the June 2000 and November 2024 resolutions.
Practical implications and next steps
With the Assembly having formally adopted the resolution, the motion is to be forwarded to the Government of India as requested in the text. The passage does not by itself alter the Union Territory's legal status; restoration of full statehood requires action by the Union government and, where applicable, amendments to central statutes or the Constitution.
- Administrative: The resolution is a formal political request and does not automatically change governance structures.
- Legal: Any change in status would require action at the Union level and may involve legislative or constitutional procedures.
- Political: The move is likely to sharpen engagement between J&K parties and the Centre and may be used as a focal point in public discourse ahead of future electoral contests.
Lawmakers who supported the resolution emphasised its urgency and urged the Centre to respond; opponents focused on textual references and the wider political context. The Assembly debate and the walkout underline the continuing salience of statehood in regional politics and the varied positions within the legislature.
As matters stand, the resolution now rests with the Union government for consideration. The Centre's response and any subsequent steps will determine whether the demand progresses through formal legal or parliamentary channels.
Reporting from the Assembly session was carried in multiple media accounts; the House concluded the sitting after passage of the motion amid tensions between rival party benches.
