Archive · 29 Sep 2026
J&K BJP MLAs Walk Out Over Statehood Resolution
Jammu and Kashmir’s Assembly passed a resolution asking for the region’s statehood to be restored.
BJP lawmakers disagreed with the resolution and said it was unconstitutional.
They also objected to the Speaker allowing debate on it.
On Tuesday, they argued with the Speaker and then left the Assembly.
BJP leader Sunil Sharma again asked for the Speaker to be removed.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said the House would follow its rules and that the removal motion would be listed after 14 days.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah supported the resolution.
The Assembly secretariat sent the resolution to the chief secretary for possible transmission to the Central government.
BJP MLAs walked out of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday over a statehood restoration resolution passed Monday.
The BJP called the resolution unconstitutional and accused Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather of acting partisanly.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma again sought the Speaker’s removal during the proceedings.
Rather defended his authority, saying the removal motion would be considered according to House procedure after 14 days.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended the resolution, which the Assembly secretariat sent to the chief secretary for onward transmission to the Central government.
- Who
- BJP MLAs, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
- What
- BJP legislators staged a walkout and protested against the Assembly’s statehood restoration resolution.
- When
- The walkout took place on Tuesday, after the resolution was passed on Monday.
- Where
- The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
- Why
- The BJP objected to the resolution and the Speaker’s decision to allow discussion on it, calling the measure unconstitutional and alleging partisan conduct.
Government and Resolution Supporters
BJP Opponents
Statehood resolution
Government and Resolution Supporters
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended the resolution and said the process reflected the limitations of Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a union territory.
BJP Opponents
The BJP called the resolution unconstitutional and protested its passage.
Speaker’s conduct
Government and Resolution Supporters
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather maintained that he had authority over the proceedings and would follow the House’s stated procedure.
BJP Opponents
The BJP accused Rather of acting in a partisan manner and sought his removal.
Debate and procedure
Government and Resolution Supporters
The government and Assembly proceeded with discussion and passage of the resolution despite the BJP’s objections.
BJP Opponents
The BJP objected to allowing discussion and said the Speaker should leave the chair while its removal notice was pending.
- Resolution status
- The statehood restoration resolution was passed by the Assembly on Monday.
- BJP position
- The BJP called the resolution unconstitutional and protested references to earlier autonomy and special-status resolutions.
- Speaker
- Abdul Rahim Rather rejected the BJP’s demand for immediate removal proceedings and cited a 14-day procedure.
- BJP demand
- Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma again sought the Speaker’s removal.
- Chief minister
- Omar Abdullah moved and defended the statehood resolution.
- Administrative step
- The Assembly secretariat sent the resolution to the chief secretary for onward transmission to the Central government.
- Additional controversy
- Abdullah said the law secretary and chief secretary had communicated with the Speaker without his knowledge regarding the resolution.
