SRINAGAR, Sept 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday witnessed uproar after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved a resolution seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory, with a reference to the contentious 2000 autonomy resolution triggering strong objections from BJP legislators.
The resolution, listed for consideration, states that besides the resolutions passed by the Assembly on June 26, 2000 and November 6, 2024, the House “calls upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir” and resolves that it be forwarded to the Centre.
Moving the resolution, Omar Abdullah reminded the Centre of its earlier assurances that statehood would be restored after delimitation and elections, saying that the third step was now pending.
The reference to the 2000 autonomy resolutionwhich had sought greater autonomy for the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir and was subsequently discussed in Parliament, became the main flashpoint in the House.
BJP legislators questioned the rationale behind bringing up the autonomy issue in the Assembly, raising slogans and disrupting proceedings. The protests led to chaos in the House as BJP members strongly opposed the reference.
National Conference members defended the resolution, asserting that the party would continue to pursue what it described as the rights of Jammu and Kashmir.
The NC had included implementation of the 2000 autonomy resolution among its political commitments in its manifesto for the 2024 Assembly elections.