J&K Assembly Passes Statehood Resolution as BJP MLAs Stage Walkout

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Saturday passed a resolution demanding the restoration of statehood, even as opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members staged a walkout and disrupted proceedings. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who described statehood as a matter of right and not a charity from the central government.

As the House convened, BJP MLAs stormed into the well, raising slogans for the dismissal of the Omar Abdullah-led government and the removal of Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather. The protest led to unruly scenes, with attempts by a BJP MLA to throw microphones at Congress members. Two BJP leaders were marshalled out, and subsequently two Congress members also tried to enter the well. The Speaker adjourned the House for half an hour.

When the House reconvened, BJP members again rushed into the well, shouting slogans against what they called the disintegration of the country. The BJP also tore up copies of the resolution.

Speaking on the resolution, Omar Abdullah questioned the delay in restoring statehood, asking what the "appropriate time" was. He said that if the Centre believed statehood should be restored only after militancy ends, then the decision would rest with Islamabad rather than Delhi. He added that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been humiliated by the central government and that his party has made enormous sacrifices for the nation and does not need any certificate from the BJP.

"This resolution is only about the restoration of statehood. It will expose the real enemies of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Who wants restoration of statehood and who is against it?" Abdullah said, adding that statehood is for the identity of Jammu and Kashmir and its people, not for his government or party.

The resolution has become contentious due to a reference to the autonomy resolution of 2000, which the BJP terms an "anti-national and Pakistani agenda." Multiple amendment motions were moved, including by ruling National Conference MLAs, seeking the inclusion of the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A in the resolution.

Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma criticised Omar Abdullah for sabotaging statehood restoration efforts by raking up the autonomy issue. Sharma said the BJP remains committed to restoring statehood at an "appropriate time" and that the Home Minister is unhappy over the autonomy reference. He recalled that the 2000 autonomy resolution was passed when Farooq Abdullah was Chief Minister and Omar Abdullah was part of the BJP-led central government that rejected it.

The 2000 resolution had called for restoring the pre-1953 position of Jammu and Kashmir, when the state had its own prime minister and sadre reyasat, and the Supreme Court and Election Commission had no jurisdiction over it.