Assembly passes statehood resolution amid BJP walkout
29/09/2026
SRINAGAR, Sep 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution calling for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory, amid protests and a walkout by BJP legislators.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who moved the resolution, said restoration of statehood was a right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and urged the Centre to fulfil its earlier assurances.
"We have been patient, but for how long?" Abdullah asked during the debate, referring to the assurance before the Supreme Court that statehood would be restored at the earliest.
The Chief Minister also referred to the Supreme Court's December 2023 judgment on Article 370, under which the court directed that elections be held in Jammu and Kashmir and statehood be restored at the earliest.
The resolution states that, in addition to resolutions passed by the House on June 26, 2000 and November 6, 2024, the Assembly calls upon the Government of India for the "immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood" to Jammu and Kashmir and resolves that it be forwarded to the Centre.
During the debate, several members had proposed amendments seeking references to restoration of special status and the constitutional position that existed before August 2019. Abdullah, however, urged members not to press the amendments, saying the Assembly had already passed resolutions on special status in 2000 and 2024.
Following his appeal, the amendments were not pressed and the Speaker put the resolution to a vote.
BJP members strongly opposed the resolution and protested inside the House. They objected particularly to references to earlier resolutions on autonomy and special status and argued that the issue of statehood should be dealt with separately. The BJP eventually walked out before the resolution was passed.
Abdullah said the demand was not linked to any individual or political party but concerned all residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Is this statehood only for me? No, it is for all the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted what he described as difficulties faced by the elected government while Jammu and Kashmir continues to function as a Union Territory. He referred to administrative delays and the limited jurisdiction of the elected government over several departments and institutions.
He questioned delays in matters relating to the regularisation of daily-wage workers and pointed to the absence of an Advocate General for an extended period. He also raised issues concerning the Revenue Department, the cultural academy and universities, arguing that greater administrative powers would accompany restoration of statehood.
On the issue of a possible linkage between restoration of statehood and the security situation, Abdullah questioned whether statehood should await the complete end of militancy.
The Chief Minister said Jammu and Kashmir had remained patient while seeking restoration of its statehood and urged the Centre to act on its earlier assurances.
The resolution was passed by voice vote amid the BJP walkout, with the House later adjourning for the day.
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