Dy CM Surinder Choudhary Defends Resolution, Calls for Dialogue
BJP Stages Protest Against Resolution, Calls It ‘Anti-National’
Cong Takes Cautious Stance on Special Status Restoration
BJP Demands Clarification from Cong on Support for Resolution
AAP MLA Mehraj Malik Backs Spl Status Restoration Despite Party Stance
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed a historic resolution calling for the restoration of the region’s special status, which was revoked in August 2019.
On the third day of its maiden session, the Assembly saw a dramatic turn when Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary introduced the resolution, which aims to reinstate the special constitutional provisions under Article 370. The resolution, which calls for reinstating the special constitutional provisions for the erstwhile state, was passed with a majority vote amid strong opposition from the BJP legislatures. Choudhary, speaking on behalf of the government, defended the resolution, which he read aloud to the Assembly: “This Legislative 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. “This Assembly calls upon the Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of people of Jammu and Kashmir for restoration of special status, constitutional guarantee and to work out constitutional mechanisms for restoring the provisions. This Assembly emphasises that any process for restoration safeguards both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir”.
As soon as Choudhary introduced the resolution, the house witnessed a ruckus as LoP Sharma opposed it, saying the parliament had already abrogated Article 370 and the same cannot be restored. Wednesday’s resolution gained backing from National Conference legislatures, including Health Minister Sakina Itoo, who seconded the motion. Additionally, independent MLAs Sheikh Khursheed and Shabir Kullay, People’s Conference (PC) chief Sajad Lone, and three PDP legislators voiced their support, strengthening the government’s position in the House. The resolution, supported by a majority, calls for the restoration of J&K’s special status and constitutional guarantees, which Choudhary argued were essential to safeguard the region’s identity, culture, and rights. “This Assembly reaffirms the importance of these provisions and urges the Government of India to initiate a dialogue for their restoration,” he said. Despite growing support for the resolution, BJP leaders, led by Sunil Sharma, continued to object, questioning the shift in legislative priorities and arguing that the motion had been introduced without sufficient notice.
BJP lawmakers criticized what they called a “last-minute” change to the day’s agenda, prompting protests that disrupted the session. All 28 BJP legislators staged a dramatic walkout, labeling the NC-led government’s resolution as “anti-national.” The lawmakers stormed into the well of the House, voicing their strong opposition and calling the move a “betrayal” of national interests. Amid the chaos, BJP leader Sham Lal Sharma climbed onto a table in the well, accusing the National Conference of “manipulating” the sentiments of Jammu and Kashmir’s people “since 1947.” “Yesterday, you spoke a different language. Article 370 is final. This political gimmick won’t work. From Sheikh Abdullah to Omar Abdullah, emotional blackmail has been routine,” Sharma said, urging the Speaker to remain impartial and avoid aligning with any political party. BJP MLAs chanted slogans, including “Jahan Huway Balidan Mukherji, woh Kashmir hamara hai” (The Kashmir where Mukherji was martyred is ours), “August 5 Zindabad,” and “Anti-national agenda nahi chalega” (Anti-national agenda won’t prevail), along with “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Jai Shri Ram.” Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma further alleged that the NC government was attempting to rename the historic Shankaracharya Hills to Takht-e-Sulaimani, claiming it was part of a “larger agenda” that BJP members vowed to resist. “We will not allow this,” BJP MLAs shouted in unison. Speaker Abdur Rahim Rather called the resolution to a vote, which passed by a majority despite continued disruptions. The resolution underscores the NC’s commitment, as outlined in its election manifesto, to seek the restoration of J&K’s special status and statehood.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the Assembly has done its job after it passed a resolution seeking a dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives for the restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, from the NC, defended the resolution, describing it as a move to strengthen India’s democracy. He highlighted concerns over the allotment of land, jobs, and business opportunities to outsiders, which, he argued, undermined the region’s autonomy. Choudhary reiterated that the resolution fulfilled NC’s manifesto promise to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. 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 noisy scenes. “The assembly has done its job. I will only say this much,” a beaming Abdullah told reporters outside the assembly complex. The resolution addresses the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status on August 5, 2019, when the central government annulled Article 370 and reorganized the region into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The National Conference, in its Assembly election manifesto, committed to advocating for the restoration of statehood and the region’s special status. BJP members, including the Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, opposed the resolution, saying it was not part of the listed business. “We reject the resolution. The Business given to us was that the discussion is on the Lieutenant governor’s address,” he said. As the BJP members continued to raise slogans against the resolution, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said put it to voice vote and it was passed amidst the din. As soon as the resolution was passed, the BJP members stormed the well of the House. The Speaker then adjourned the House for 15 minutes. However, after the House met again, it continued to witness a ruckus, forcing the speaker to adjourn it for an hour.
Meanwhile Congress Party leaders have chosen their words carefully, likely mindful of the political fallout, particularly in poll-bound states like Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Congress legislators, including Chief Whip in the Legislative Assembly Nizam ud Din Bhat and Baramulla MLA Irfan Hafeez Lone, refrained from offering unequivocal support for the resolution. Instead, they highlighted the need for New Delhi to address the issue, given the resolution’s passage through the elected assembly. “If a resolution has come through an elected assembly and passed, the onus is now on New Delhi to consider it. We support the call for dialogue with elected representatives, as outlined in the resolution, and believe that New Delhi should respect the sentiment conveyed by the assembly,” he said. When asked if Congress fully backed the resolution, Bhat avoided a direct answer, stating, “It’s not a matter of yes or no. What I mean is that the assembly’s sentiment should be respected.”
Meanwhile, Irfan Hafeez Lone emphasized Congress’s desire for the restoration of statehood and the unification of the region. “We want our rights, especially the restoration of statehood. The resolution reflects our rights, such as protection of land, identity, employment, and culture,” Lone said. The resolution, which was passed by voice vote in the NC-Congress government, sparked strong opposition from the BJP. Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma demanded clarification from Congress’s central leadership on whether they supported the NC government’s resolution. He accused Congress of “shaming” the country’s people by backing the motion, and called for clarity on the party’s position regarding Article 370’s abrogation. Despite Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President Arvind Kejriwal’s support for the abrogation of Article 370, the party’s lone legislator in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mehraj Malik, backed the resolution calling for the restoration of the region’s special status. Malik, who represents Doda district, expressed his support for the resolution, emphasizing its importance in protecting the land and job rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “I support the resolution. Whatever is in the best interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the country, I will stand by it. We should have rights over our land and jobs,” Malik said. When questioned about the contradiction between his position and Kejriwal’s stance on Article 370, Malik explained, “I support the resolution because it focuses on the protection of land rights and jobs. This is about the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
