Jammu and Kashmir Assembly calls for statehood restoration

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday passed a nonbinding resolution calling on the Government of India to restore full statehood to the territory. Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party walked out before the vote, opposing the measure’s references to autonomy and special status. The resolution, introduced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, asks the central government for the immediate restoration of statehood and directs that the Assembly’s appeal be forwarded to New Delhi. It passed by voice vote after a debate. The measure is a political appeal and does not itself change Jammu and Kashmir’s status. The resolution also refers to Assembly measures passed in 2000 and 2024. The earlier resolutions sought greater autonomy and restoration of special status, respectively. During the latest debate, some members proposed amendments seeking references to autonomy and Article 370. Abdullah urged them not to press the changes, and the amendments were withdrawn, according to an account of the proceedings. BJP members said the references to autonomy and special status insulted the Constitution and opposed allowing the resolution to proceed.