J&K chief minister tables resolution demanding immediate restoration of full statehood

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved a resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly demanding the immediate restoration of full statehood for the Union Territory. He told the Speaker that lack of statehood affects daily life and questioned a law department opinion he said he had not seen. He listed grievances such as unfinished Transaction of Business Rules and the NC government’s lack of control over law and order, universities, revenue and culture departments. Omar noted the Centre repeatedly promises statehood at an “appropriate time” and asked for a clear answer, saying the region is not seeking charity but justice for humiliation. The resolution, tabled last Friday, calls on the Government of India to restore full statehood and refers to earlier Assembly resolutions of June 26 2000 and November 6 2024. The move follows the September‑October 2024 elections in which the National Conference won and Omar returned as chief minister, five years after the August 5 2019 abrogation of Article 370 that turned J&K into a Union Territory. In the first session after the election, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary had moved a separate resolution urging dialogue on restoring special status, which passed despite BJP opposition. During the debate, ten legislators, including six National Conference members, offered amendments to add restoration of the pre‑2019 special status under Articles 370 and 35A; all were later withdrawn. The resolution passed by voice vote while BJP members staged a walkout, labeling the autonomy reference “unconstitutional and anti‑national”.

Context

The demand for statehood reflects long‑standing regional sentiment that full state status would give J&K greater control over its affairs, a point repeatedly raised since the 2000 autonomy committee report and the 2024 Assembly motions.