SRINAGAR: The legislative assembly of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir has passed a resolution calling for the restoration of the region’s full statehood.
The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, urged the Indian government to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood without further delay. It was passed by voice vote on Monday, while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members walked out of the assembly before the voting.
Omar Abdullah said the restoration of statehood was the region’s right and referred to an earlier commitment by the Indian government to restore statehood at an “appropriate time.” He said there should be no further delay on the issue.
The resolution also referred to previous resolutions passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, including a 2000 resolution seeking greater autonomy and a November 2024 resolution concerning the restoration of special constitutional status.
BJP lawmakers opposed the resolution, objecting to references in the text to the region’s previous constitutional status. They argued that restoration of statehood should not be linked with Article 370 and other constitutional issues. The BJP described the resolution as “unconstitutional” and walked out of the assembly before the vote.
Abdullah later said the main purpose of the resolution was to seek restoration of full statehood. He also supported withdrawing some amendments so that the resolution remained focused on the demand for statehood.
Jammu and Kashmir’s political and administrative status changed significantly in August 2019, when the Indian government revoked the region’s special status under Article 370. The former state was subsequently divided into two union territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Following assembly elections in 2024, a National Conference government was formed under Omar Abdullah. However, the elected government has fewer powers than the former state government, while the lieutenant governor retains significant administrative powers.
Leave a Reply