Despite BJP opposition, J&K Assembly passes resolution for restoration of special status

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution seeking a dialogue between the Central government and the elected representatives of Union Territory (UT) for restoration of Article 370, even as the BJP strongly protested the move.

The resolution, which was moved by National Conference (NC) leader and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Chowdhary, said that the Assembly "reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal."

It further added that, "any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir."

However, BJP’s Sunil Sharma, the Leader of Opposition in the J&K assembly, opposed it, saying it was against the rules and was not a part of the House business. “We reject the resolution. The business given to us was that the discussion is on the Lieutenant governor’s address,” he said.

The House proceedings were adjourned for an hour after it witnessed ruckus and protests by the opposition BJP, who tore copies of the document. The BJP MLAs stormed the well of the House and are camping there.

Despite protests from the BJP, the resolution, which also expressed “concern” over the “unilateral removal” of the special status, was passed without any debate as the Speaker put it to voice vote amidst the chaos.

The NC has the support of 55 legislators in the 90-member House. With three members of PDP, People's Conference MLA Sajjad Lone and AIP legilsator Sheikh Khursheed supporting the resolution, the number of supporters increased to 60 legislators.

As the BJP members continued protests and stormed the well of the House, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

In August 2019, the central government took the historic yet controversial decision of abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution. This provision had granted Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status, allowing the region significant control over its internal affairs, including its own constitution and flag, while excluding matters such as defence, communications, and foreign affairs.

Along with this constitutional change, the state was reorganized into two separate Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, which retained a legislative assembly, and Ladakh, which was established as a Union Territory without a legislature.

The move to abrogate Article 370 was met with widespread opposition from regional parties, including the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and others, who have argued that the decision undermines the autonomy and identity of the region.

On December 11 last year, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court upheld the decision, directing the holding of elections in the region by September 2024 and the restoration of statehood as soon as possible.