Resolution Introduced During Heated Assembly Session
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved a resolution in the Legislative Assembly on Friday seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory. The legislative move occurred amid noisy protests by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, resulting in heated scenes within the House.
Abdullah presented the resolution after Question Hour during the sixth session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The session began on 21 September and is scheduled to conclude on 30 September. The resolution calls upon the Government of India for the "immediate and urgent restoration" of full statehood, including responsibility for maintaining law and order.
BJP legislators staged protests during the assembly session, contributing to the tense atmosphere as Abdullah proceeded with his motion. The resolution is intended to be forwarded to the Union government following its passage in the House.
Abdullah Cites 2019 Assurances and Completed Processes
While moving the resolution, Abdullah referred to assurances given to the people of Jammu and Kashmir following the Centre’s decision to reorganize the erstwhile state in 2019. He stated that those assurances included a sequence where delimitation would be followed by assembly elections and subsequently by the restoration of statehood.
Abdullah noted that while delimitation and elections have been completed, statehood has not yet been restored. "Delimitation has happened, elections have happened, statehood has not," he said, according to reports from Shafaqna India.
Prior Legislative Efforts and Government Stance
This latest resolution follows previous assembly resolutions passed on 26 June 2000 and 6 November 2024. The resolution passed on 6 November 2024 sought the restoration of special status and constitutional guarantees during the first session after the 2024 elections.
The demand for statehood has been a key issue for the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government since it assumed office in October 2024. The Union Territory Cabinet adopted an earlier resolution on the matter soon after the government was formed, establishing the current administration's focus on this legislative goal.