SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly resumed its proceedings in Srinagar on Monday, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resolution seeking restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory listed for discussion, days after a heated confrontation over the proposal forced an adjournment.
Abdullah had introduced the resolution on September 25, urging the Government of India to restore J&K’s statehood. The resolution also makes references to resolutions passed by the Assembly on June 26, 2000 and November 6, 2024.
The references to the earlier resolutions became a point of contention during Friday’s proceedings, with BJP legislators objecting to the inclusion of the 2000 autonomy resolution and the 2024 resolution. The ruling benches maintained that the resolution before the House concerns the restoration of statehood.
The disagreement escalated into protests and sloganeering inside the Assembly, prompting Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to adjourn the House. Reports said BJP legislators entered the Well of the House and tore copies of the resolution.
Abdullah has said the resolution does not seek any fresh decision on Article 370, special status or autonomy. He has argued that restoration of statehood was promised following the completion of delimitation and elections, both of which have since taken place.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma has said the BJP is prepared to debate the issue of statehood but has opposed bringing the 2000 autonomy resolution and matters concerning special status into the discussion.
Monday’s proceedings are part of the Assembly’s sixth session, which began on September 21 and is scheduled to conclude on September 30. According to the official Assembly portal, 463 questions and 38 papers had been listed for the session so far.
Apart from the statehood resolution, the House is scheduled to take up questions and other listed business concerning various public issues during Monday’s sitting.
The statehood debate comes amid continuing differences between the government and the BJP over the scope and references contained in the resolution, following the disruption that marked its introduction on Friday.
