J&K assembly passes resolution seeking restoration of full statehood

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution calling for the restoration of the region’s full statehood, despite strong opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The resolution was moved by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who called on New Delhi to restore full statehood without further delay.

According to Indian media reports, members of several political parties, including the National Conference, Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, People’s Conference, Communist Party of India and Aam Aadmi Party, supported the resolution. No member of the assembly voted against it.

The BJP, which has 29 members in the assembly, opposed the resolution and staged a walkout before the voting took place. BJP lawmakers reportedly raised slogans and tore copies of the resolution during the proceedings.

Following the BJP walkout, other members raised slogans supporting the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir.

The resolution was passed despite reported objections and letters from the authorities opposing the move. Its passage reflects continued political differences over the constitutional and administrative status of Jammu and Kashmir following the region’s reorganisation.

The assembly’s move also highlights the demand among several regional political parties for greater political powers and the restoration of the status that Jammu and Kashmir held before its reorganisation.

Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called for unity among Kashmiri political parties to pursue the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and political rights.

Article 370 had provided Jammu and Kashmir with special constitutional provisions before the Indian government revoked most of its provisions in August 2019 and reorganised the former state into two federally administered union territories.