2 hrs ago
J&K Assembly Chaos Over Omar Abdullah Statehood Resolution
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly argued about bringing back statehood.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah supported a resolution asking for statehood to be restored.
Some members also wanted it to mention older special-status provisions, including Articles 370 and 35A.
The Bharatiya Janata Party opposed those references and said they could harm national unity.
Its lawmakers shouted slogans and entered the center of the Assembly.
The Speaker temporarily stopped the meeting because of the disorder.
Omar Abdullah said statehood is important for the identity and people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Bharatiya Janata Party said it supports statehood but believes the autonomy reference could delay or damage that goal.
Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs disrupted the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, demanding Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government and Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather be removed.
The commotion included an alleged attempt to throw microphones at Congress MLAs, and two Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were marshalled out.
Omar Abdullah’s resolution seeks restoration of statehood, while amendments proposed by ruling National Conference MLAs seek references to Articles 370 and 35A.
The Bharatiya Janata Party opposed references to the 2000 autonomy resolution, calling them anti-national and linked to a Pakistani agenda.
The Speaker adjourned the Assembly for half an hour, but Bharatiya Janata Party members resumed protests when proceedings restarted.
- Who
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs, National Conference MLAs, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and Congress members.
- What
- The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly debated a resolution seeking restoration of statehood, amid protests over references to autonomy, Articles 370 and 35A.
- Where
- The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
- When
- During the ongoing Assembly session; the statehood resolution was introduced on Friday, and the cited autonomy resolution was passed on June 26, 2000.
- Why
- Omar Abdullah says statehood is necessary for Jammu and Kashmir’s identity and people, while the Bharatiya Janata Party says the autonomy reference is inappropriate and could undermine restoration of statehood.
Omar Abdullah and National Conference
Bharatiya Janata Party
Scope of the resolution
Omar Abdullah and National Conference
Omar Abdullah says the resolution is about restoring statehood and representing the identity and interests of Jammu and Kashmir.
Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party says the reference to autonomy distracts from or could sabotage the restoration of statehood.
Autonomy and special-status references
Omar Abdullah and National Conference
National Conference MLAs moved amendments seeking references to Articles 370 and 35A, while Omar Abdullah’s resolution includes a reference to the 2000 autonomy resolution.
Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party calls the autonomy reference anti-national and says raising the pre-1953 position is inappropriate at this time.
Responsibility for delayed statehood
Omar Abdullah and National Conference
Omar Abdullah says the central government has not acted on restoration of statehood and that the local Bharatiya Janata Party leadership opposes it.
Bharatiya Janata Party
Sunil Sharma says Omar Abdullah is sabotaging statehood restoration by including the autonomy reference, while affirming the Bharatiya Janata Party’s commitment to statehood.
Key facts
- Main resolution
- A resolution moved by Omar Abdullah seeks restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
- Proposed amendments
- Members, including National Conference MLAs, sought references to Articles 370 and 35A.
- Autonomy reference
- The resolution refers to a 2000 Assembly resolution seeking restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-1953 position.
- Bharatiya Janata Party position
- The party opposed the autonomy reference, called it anti-national and linked it to a Pakistani agenda, but said it remains committed to restoring statehood at an appropriate time.
- Assembly disruption
- Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs entered the well, shouted slogans and tore copies of the resolution.
- Adjournment
- Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House for half an hour after the disorder.
- Omar Abdullah’s claim
- Abdullah said he had sought restoration of statehood from the central government for two years without results.
Quotes
Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
“The BJP is a party that keeps its promises. BJP is committed to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. If anyone is trying to sabotage the restoration of statehood, it is Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.”
NDTV
“This resolution is only about the restoration of statehood. This resolution will also expose the real enemies of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Who wants restoration of statehood and who is against it?”
NDTV
Sources
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