3 hrs ago
J&K Assembly Seeks Immediate Statehood Restoration Amid BJP Walkout
Jammu and Kashmir is currently governed as a Union Territory instead of a full state.
Its elected Assembly passed a resolution asking the central government to restore statehood.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the Supreme Court had directed that statehood return soon after elections.
He asked how “as soon as possible” could mean waiting two years.
Abdullah also said statehood is a right of the people, not a gift from the Centre.
He argued that Union Territory rules make it harder for the elected government to run departments and institutions.
The BJP said it supports statehood but objected to the resolution’s wording.
BJP legislators protested, raised slogans, and walked out when the resolution passed.
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed a resolution seeking the immediate restoration of statehood.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said two years after elections does not satisfy the Supreme Court’s direction to restore statehood at the earliest.
Abdullah argued that statehood is a right, not charity or a favour from the Centre.
He said Union Territory status has caused administrative delays and limited the elected government’s control over departments and institutions.
The BJP opposed the resolution’s wording, raised slogans, and walked out after saying references to pre-1953 status were unconstitutional.
- Who
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party legislators.
- What
- The Assembly passed a resolution seeking the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
- Where
- The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, in Srinagar.
- When
- The resolution was moved on September 25 and passed on Monday, September 28; the Supreme Court’s Article 370 judgment was issued on December 11, 2023.
- Why
- Abdullah said the Supreme Court directed restoration at the earliest after elections and argued that Union Territory status restricts the elected government’s administrative authority.
Statehood restoration supporters
BJP legislators
Timing of restoration
Statehood restoration supporters
Omar Abdullah said statehood should be restored immediately and questioned how the phrase “at the earliest” could mean waiting two years after elections.
BJP legislators
The BJP opposed the resolution as worded and walked out, although its Leader of the Opposition said the party favours restoration of statehood.
Conditions involving militancy
Statehood restoration supporters
Abdullah opposed linking statehood to the last gun falling silent, arguing that this would allow cross-border actors to influence Jammu and Kashmir’s political future.
BJP legislators
The reports describe arguments linking restoration to peace and the eradication of militancy, but do not provide a detailed BJP statement explaining that position.
Resolution’s wording
Statehood restoration supporters
Abdullah said he carefully limited the resolution to a demand for statehood and denied that it sought a vote on Article 370, Article 35A, or special status.
BJP legislators
The BJP said references to the pre-1953 position were unacceptable and unconstitutional; several legislators had sought amendments mentioning Article 370, Article 35A, and condemnation of August 5, 2019.
Key facts
- Resolution
- The Assembly passed a voice-vote resolution seeking immediate restoration of statehood.
- Chief minister’s argument
- Omar Abdullah said statehood is a right and not charity or a favour from the Centre.
- Supreme Court direction
- The Supreme Court upheld the revocation of Article 370 and directed that statehood be restored at the earliest after elections.
- BJP position
- The BJP said it favours statehood but rejected the resolution’s language, including its reference to the pre-1953 position.
- Assembly disruption
- BJP legislators raised slogans and walked out as the resolution was passed.
- Governance concerns
- Abdullah cited delays involving daily-wager regularisation, reservation-related decisions, business rules, and the absence of an Advocate General.
- Areas cited as outside elected control
- Abdullah said the Revenue Department, cultural academy, Islamic University of Sciences and Technology, and Bana Ghulam Shah Badshah University were not under the elected government’s control.
Quotes
Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and mover of the statehood resolution
“In what language does ‘at the earliest’ mean two years? And even after two years, there is no clarity about when this might change. I have repeatedly asked the Centre what ‘uchit samay’ [opportune moment] means for the restoration of statehood. Is ‘uchit samay’ linked to militancy? Are you saying that till the guns fall silent in J&K, statehood will not be restored?”
indianexpress.com
“Are you linking it to militancy and the last gun falling silent? If that is the case, then the decision will be taken in Islamabad and not in New Delhi, because Pakistan carried out the Pahalgam, Uri and Pulwama attacks.”
theprint.in
Sources
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