Srinagar, Nov 6: In a dramatic turn of events, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on Wednesday calling for the restoration of the special status that was revoked by the Modi government in 2019. The resolution was passed amid uproar from BJP members, who staged a protest in the well of the House.
The resolution, passed through a voice vote, urges the Centre to engage in dialogue with elected representatives to restore the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The move was strongly supported by the National Conference (NC) and other ruling party members, with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary introducing the resolution. It calls for the reinstatement of constitutional guarantees that protect the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which were removed following the 2019 abrogation of Article 370.
BJP leader Sunil Sharma, the Leader of the Opposition, strongly opposed the resolution, declaring it outside the scope of the Assembly’s business. In protest, BJP MLAs stormed the well of the House, shouting slogans against the National Conference government and accusing it of advancing an “anti-national agenda.” The protest intensified with chants of “National Conference sharam karo” (have some shame) and “Pakistani agenda nahi chalega” (no Pakistani agenda will work).
Health and Education Minister Sakeena Itoo seconded the resolution, which had been included in the supplementary business of the day. The resolution emphasized the importance of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and constitutional guarantees, which it argued are essential for preserving the region’s unique identity and cultural heritage.
The resolution also called on the Indian government to initiate a dialogue with the elected representatives of Jammu and Kashmir to determine the constitutional mechanisms required to restore the special status. It highlighted the need for any process of restoration to balance national unity with the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The BJP’s protest led to a heated debate, and amid the uproar, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House.
In 2019, the BJP-led central government revoked Article 370, which had granted Jammu and Kashmir special privileges and autonomy. This controversial move was legally challenged, and in December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the revocation, stating that Article 370 was a “temporary” provision. The abrogation also led to the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, splitting it into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
