By Sagarika Rastogi
The resolution brought in by the state legislative assembly for the speedy restoration of full statehood in the union territory by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mr Omar Abdullah has paved the way for the physical violence to break out in the assembly.
The members of the BJP who are in opposition, stormed into the well of the House leading to an altercation between them and the National Conference (NC) legislators. The speaker Abdul Rahim adjourned the house after he realized that there was no response to his appeals for maintaining decorum.
The BJP MLAs very staunchly opposed the resolution, specifically objecting to its reference to an autonomy resolution passed by the NC in 2000, when J&K still had statehood.The current resolution mentioned that apart from the resolution adopted by the Assembly in the year June 26, 2000, and November 6, 2024, the House needs to urgently restore the full statehood of Jammu & Kashmir.
For context, since 2000 there have been resolutions which demand for greater autonomy to be restored to J&K. In June 2000, under the government of Farooq Abdullah, the resolution urged more powers for the region and increased autonomy as it existed prior to August 9, 1953.
The BJP under whose rule the region’s status had been repealed and J&K became a union territory, was adamant on not letting this resolution pass. “We will not allow discussion on the issue of autonomy in the House,” BJP MLA R S Pathania said.
BJP legislators accused the ruling party of violating Assembly rules, claiming that Abdullah read out the resolution before formally tabling it. Some BJP members went as far as to tear the copies of the resolution, in a scene which showed their vehement opposition to it.
Backing the resolution, Abdullah urged the legislators to debate and pass it unanimously. He argued that the continued denial of statehood to J&K has been extremely damaging to the people. He said the people of J&K were promised a three-stage process – delimitation, elections and restoration of statehood.
The final step of the process is still pending and needs to be carried out urgently.
“We kept waiting. Publicly, privately, in every meeting, in every forum, we reminded the government of India of its promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,”
Abdullah said, adding that the Assembly was once again reminding the Centre of its commitment and promise.
Members of the BJP objected to the proceedings of the House, saying that the government was showing more interest in autonomy than in public problems. The disturbances went on even after the adjournment of the House by the Speaker.
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