Archive · 29 Sep 2026
J&K Assembly Demands Immediate Restoration of Full Statehood
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly asked India’s government to give the region full statehood again.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah brought the proposal to the Assembly.
Lawmakers approved it with a voice vote on September 28.
BJP lawmakers disagreed and protested before walking out.
Some lawmakers wanted the proposal to also mention special status and Articles 370 and 35A.
Abdullah asked them to withdraw those changes so the main statehood request could pass.
He said waiting for violence to stop could let Pakistan affect when statehood returns.
The BJP said references to old autonomy and special status were an insult to the Constitution.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced the resolution, which passed by voice vote on September 28 amid a BJP walkout.
BJP legislators protested, objecting to references to Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-August 2019 status and earlier Assembly resolutions.
Ten amendments were proposed, including eight seeking restoration of the special status held before August 2019; all eight were withdrawn.
Abdullah said delaying statehood until violence ends effectively gives Pakistan influence over when the decision is made, while the BJP called autonomy and special-status references unconstitutional.
- Who
- The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, National Conference legislators and BJP legislators, including Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma.
- What
- The Assembly passed a resolution demanding the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
- When
- September 28; one report identifies the year as 2026, while the other reports specify the date without a year. Abdullah introduced the resolution on September 25.
- Where
- The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in Srinagar.
- Why
- Supporters sought restoration of full statehood, while some legislators also wanted the resolution to address Jammu and Kashmir’s former special status and autonomy.
Statehood Resolution Supporters
Bharatiya Janata Party Legislators
Restoration of statehood
Statehood Resolution Supporters
Supporters demanded the immediate restoration of full statehood and asked that the resolution be forwarded to the Government of India.
Bharatiya Janata Party Legislators
BJP legislators opposed the resolution as presented, protested during the proceedings, and walked out.
Special status and autonomy
Statehood Resolution Supporters
Several legislators sought references to Jammu and Kashmir’s former special status, autonomy, and Articles 370 and 35A; the amendments were withdrawn after Abdullah’s appeal.
Bharatiya Janata Party Legislators
The BJP objected to references to earlier status and resolutions, saying references to autonomy and special status insulted the Constitution.
Timing of restoration
Statehood Resolution Supporters
Abdullah argued that restoring statehood only after the guns fall silent would leave Pakistan with influence over when statehood is restored.
Bharatiya Janata Party Legislators
The Centre has reportedly said statehood would be restored at an appropriate time or after the guns fall silent.
- Resolution
- Calls on the Government of India to immediately and urgently restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
- Introduced by
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
- Vote
- Passed by voice vote.
- BJP response
- BJP legislators protested, entered the House well, and walked out.
- Amendments
- Ten amendments were proposed; eight sought restoration of pre-August 2019 special status, and the eight were withdrawn.
- Earlier resolutions
- The resolution referred to Assembly resolutions from June 26, 2000, and November 6, 2024.
- Central government position
- The Union government has promised to restore statehood, with Abdullah criticizing the suggestion that this would occur only after the guns fall silent.
