The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution for the restoration of its special status, calling upon the “Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives” of the Union Territory to work out “constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions”, even as the BJP protested the move.
The resolution said that the 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”.
It further added that “any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.
As the House convened on Wednesday, Surinder Choudhary, National Conference legislator and Deputy Chief Minister, moved the resolution. The BJP’s Sunil Sharma, the Leader of the Opposition, opposed it, saying it was against the rules and was not a part of the House business.
This led to a ruckus in the House with BJP legislators opposing the resolution, and all other members, cutting across party lines – barring the Congress – supporting it. Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Karra and leader Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed remained silent.
As the BJP members did not allow a discussion on the resolution, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather warned that he would put the resolution to vote. The BJP continued to protest and both sides raised slogans in favour and against the resolution.
The Speaker then put the resolution to voice vote, following which it was passed. As the BJP members jumped into the Well, the Speaker adjourned the House.
Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet in its first meeting last month had passed a resolution urging the Union Government to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. The restoration of statehood will be a beginning of a healing process, reclaiming the constitutional rights and protecting the identity of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Cabinet has authorised the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and Government of India for restoration of statehood. Protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s unique identity and constitutional rights of people remains the cornerstone of the newly elected government’s policy.
