SRINAGAR: J&K assembly passed a resolution introduced by National Conference (NC) Wednesday that calls on the Union govt to initiate discussions on the restoration of the former state’s special status — revoked in 2019 with the abrogation of Article 370.
Though the resolution reaffirms the importance of J&K’s distinct identity, culture, and rights, it does not explicitly mention Article 370.
Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary introduced the resolution amid protests from BJP’s 28-member bloc. The resolution states: “This assembly calls upon the govt of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of the people of J&K for the restoration of special status, constitutional guaranteesand to work out the constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions.”
BJP legislators protested the timing of the resolution, claiming it broke legislative protocol. Leader of the opposition Sunil Sharma accused CM Omar Abdullah’s coalition govt of violating assembly procedures, as the day’s agenda was set to discuss the lieutenant governor’s address. Despite repeated adjournments due to BJP’s protests, speaker Abdur Rahim Rather put the resolution to vote and it passed with a majority.
CM Abdullah defended the resolution, asserting it was now the Centre’s responsibility to respond to the assembly’s call. NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi stressed that the move was only a preliminary step: “The fight won’t stop here as only the doors have been opened today through the assembly.”
The resolution found support from lawmakers outside the governing alliance, including three PDP members, three independents, and People’s Conference chief and party MLA Sajad Lone.
However, independent legislator and imprisoned Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid’s brother Sheikh Khursheed of Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) expressed conditional support. “There is no mention of Article 370 or 35A, no reference to the J&K Reorganisation Act of 2019, and no commitment to reverse the measures imposed on August 5, 2019,” he said, calling the resolution an incomplete gesture that fell short of the election promises made by NC, PDP and Congress.
The passage of the resolution followed a separate move by PDP legislator Waheed Para, who had introduced Monday a private member’s resolution calling for the restoration of Article 370. However, the proposal was disallowed amid protests by NC and BJP members.
PDP president and former CM Mehbooba Mufti criticised the NC-backed resolution as “half-hearted” and “lacking conviction”, saying it should have forcefully condemned the abrogation of Article 370.
“Today, PDP has shown that numbers don’t matter. A strong opposition can compel a majority govt to fulfil the people’s aspirations and honour its commitments to the public. This is the result of the PDP’s dedicated efforts,” Mehbooba said, claiming PDP’s persistent advocacy led to the resolution’s introduction.
BJP was quick to condemn the move, accusing NC of pushing a divisive agenda. “This is a fake resolution and lacks legal validity,” said opposition leader Sunil Sharma, adding that “no one is above Parliament”.
Parliament repealed Article 370 on Aug 5, 2019, ending J&K’s special status and restructuring the region into two Union territories — including Ladakh. The Supreme Court later upheld the parliamentary decision.
BJP’s J&K chief Sat Sharma rallied supporters during a protest outside the party office, burning effigies of CM Abdullah and his deputy. “NC-Congress has a history of fooling people, and BJP will continue to protest against these nefarious designs,” Sharma said.
Responding to the intense debate on J&K’s autonomy and protests against the resolution, J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra questioned why dialogue with the Centre on constitutional guarantees and statehood should be seen as problematic.
