SRINAGAR, Sept 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory, amid a walkout by BJP members protesting references to earlier resolutions on autonomy and special status.
The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah last week, was passed by voice vote after the BJP staged a protest and walked out of the House.
The resolution states that, in addition to resolutions passed by the House in 2000 and 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.
The BJP had opposed the resolution during Friday's proceedings and again on Monday, with its members entering the Well of the House, tearing business papers and conducting mock proceedings.
During the debate, several members, including those from the ruling National Conference, moved amendments seeking a reference to the restoration of special status.
Abdullah, however, appealed to the members to withdraw the amendments, arguing that the Assembly had already passed separate resolutions on greater autonomy and special status.
He said the new resolution was intended to seek a united demand for restoration of statehood and urged members not to press amendments that, he said, could provide the BJP an opportunity to oppose the resolution.
Following the Chief Minister's appeal, eight MLAs agreed not to press their amendments.
The Speaker subsequently put the resolution to a vote, with BJP members continuing their protest. The resolution was passed through a voice vote after the BJP members walked out.
The BJP opposed references to autonomy and special status, saying they amounted to an affront to the Constitution and maintaining that it would not allow the resolution to be discussed or passed in its present form.
The Assembly had earlier passed a resolution on June 26, 2000, seeking restoration of greater autonomy, while a resolution passed on November 6, 2024, sought restoration of special status. Abdullah had earlier said the latest resolution did not dilute or replace those resolutions.
