WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on fourth day witnessed a heated argument between legislators after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved a resolution house calling upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The session began with the Congress staging a brief protest in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Congress lawmakers carrying banners that read “Gyanesh Kumar resign, protect the vote, protect democracy” raised slogans demanding the CEC’s resignation.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather questioned legislators Nizamuddin Bhat, Irfan Hafiz Lone and Iftikhar for bringing banners inside the House. “Who has given you permission to bring banners here? Close them,” the Speaker asked.
He told the protesting lawmakers that the Election Commission of India was not under the jurisdiction of the J&K Assembly. “ECI is not under our control. I have disallowed it. This is Question Hour,” he said, warning, “Take your seats before I take action against you.”
During the same time National Conference MLA Altaf Kaloo objected to a video shared across social media platforms in which he is purportedly shown taking out some chewable. Kaloo alleged that the videos claim that he was consuming “tobacco product” also known as “Nevla” in the assembly.
The video shows him doing so while interacting with a party colleague Abdul Majid Larmi. Kaloo clarified that he was chewing “Happydent”, a commercial brand of chewing gum. He then called for a ban on “live video cameras” in the assembly suggesting that only one camera should be allowed to function in the assembly. He tried to show the video to the speaker, who didn’t make any observations on the issue.
The session then began with minister answering different questions. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today informed the Legislative Assembly that the Government has taken necessary measures for restoration of affected infrastructure by flash floods/cloudbursts across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying on behalf of the Chief Minister to a question raised by MLA Shakti Raj Parihar.
Minister for Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo today informed the Legislative Assembly that around 75 per cent physical progress has been achieved on the construction of the 50-bedded hospital block at Pahalgam, with the remaining works being pursued on priority.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Pahalgam Altaf Ahmad Wani.
Minister for School Education, Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, replying on behalf of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today informed the Legislative Assembly that 14 developmental works involving a total project cost of ₹24.62 crore are under execution in Baramulla Town, with several projects completed and others progressing at different stages.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Javid Hassan Baig.
As soon as the zero hour was ended, the : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today moved a resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly calling upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today moved a resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly calling upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The resolution, moved during the ongoing Autumn Session of the Assembly, seeks to build upon the resolutions passed by the House on June 26, 2000 and November 6, 2024.
“In addition to the Resolutions passed by this House on 26th June 2000 and 6th November 2024, this House calls upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and resolves that this Resolution be forwarded to Government of India,” the resolution states.
Moving the resolution, the Chief Minister urged members across the political spectrum to support it unanimously, emphasising that statehood was not an issue belonging to one side of the House or another, but an issue concerning the entire people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I would like to request the House to pass this Resolution, because without statehood, Jammu and Kashmir has suffered immensely. A promise was made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Chief Minister said.
Referring to the sequence of delimitation, elections and restoration of statehood, he said the first two steps had been completed and the people of Jammu and Kashmir had participated in the electoral process willingly.
“There was an election. People took part in the election. And they took part willingly,” he said, adding that people had hoped that the third step of restoration of statehood would follow the elections.
The Chief Minister said the Government of India had been reminded publicly, privately and at various forums that the commitment to restore statehood remained to be fulfilled.
“Today, through this House, we want to remind the Government of India that something should be done about your promises,” he said.
Referring to the commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said, “When the Prime Minister was giving his speech, he said that this is not an ordinary promise. This is the promise of Modi.”
Omar Abdullah also emphasised the need for unanimity on the issue, saying that statehood should not be viewed as belonging to either the Treasury or Opposition benches.
“Statehood is neither of this side nor that side. It is not only of this House. If there is statehood, then it is of the whole of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Explaining the practical implications of the present constitutional and administrative arrangement, the Chief Minister cited the functioning of the Power Development Corporation and SKIMS as examples of areas where, according to him, the elected government does not exercise the same decision-making authority it would have under full statehood.
Referring to a discussion in the House on a hydroelectric project, he said that as Chief Minister and Power Minister, he did not have the Power Development Corporation under his control, despite the elected government being responsible for development-related matters.
He also referred to SKIMS, stating that while the elected government provides budgetary support, decisions relating to the premier health institution are not entirely within the purview of the elected government.
“There are many other instances like these, which I will present at the end of this discussion in front of the House,” he said.
The Chief Minister clarified that the resolution had been carefully worded so that it would not replace or undermine earlier resolutions passed by the Assembly.
“This resolution neither replaces them, nor substitutes them, nor ignores them. This resolution is in addition to those resolutions,” he said.
He further underlined that the earlier resolutions continued to stand as resolutions of the House and that the present resolution sought to add to them by reiterating the demand for restoration of full statehood.
The Chief Minister also rejected the possibility of a partial restoration of statehood.
“What we hear in the media that we will get a half state, we will get a quarter state, we will get a state without law and order. No, we do not want such a state. We have been promised a full state and we want a full state back,” he said.
The Chief Minister concluded by urging the members to participate in the discussion on the resolution and support the call for restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The resolution was followed by uproar by BJP who objected the resolution with legislators raising slogans the government. The BJP leaders stood from the position were seen holding placards. The heating argument for more than 40 minutes during which the legislators from National Conference were seek asking question to the BJP as to why they are opposing.
The house for adjourned for 30 minutes.
As soon as the house resumed, BJP legislators yet again protested the resolution that was brought.
The call of attention was carried out by MLA Hazratbal Salman Sagar. While on the other hand two BJP legislators backed out. The speaker also informed that the discussion of resolution brought by Chief Minister will be discussed on Monday.
Seeking statehood is notanti-national, says Omar
Challenges BJP to debate, vote ‘Yes or No’ in house
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the BJP of trying to avoid a vote on the restoration of statehood after a resolution moved in the Legislative Assembly triggered a political confrontation.
Defending the resolution, Abdullah while talking to media said it was aimed solely at conveying the Assembly’s demand to the Government of India for the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s full statehood, nearly two years after the Assembly elections.
“I moved this resolution because a promise was made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the restoration of statehood, and that promise has not yet been fulfilled,” Abdullah told reporters.
He said the Assembly, as the elected representative institution of the people, should formally communicate its position to the Centre.
“We wanted a resolution to be passed from here and sent to the Government of India stating that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood should be restored immediately,” he said.
Rejecting allegations that the resolution was linked to Article 370, autonomy or special status, Abdullah said those issues were separate from the present proposal.
“Today, no one is asking them for a vote on Article 370, special status or autonomy. Those resolutions have already been passed by the House. This resolution does not replace or dilute them. It deals only with statehood,” he said.
He explained that the wording “in addition” was deliberately included to clarify that earlier resolutions remain part of the House’s record while a fresh resolution specifically addresses statehood.
The Chief Minister alleged that BJP legislators were creating disruptions because they did not want to vote on the issue. “They should allow a debate and then vote. If they support statehood, they should vote yes. If they oppose it, they should vote no. But they should not avoid the vote by creating a ruckus,” he said. Abdullah further claimed that the BJP and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration were opposed to restoring statehood.
“If there is any obstacle to Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood today, it is these 29 BJP MLAs,” he said. Responding to BJP leaders who demanded accountability for his government’s performance, Abdullah said he was prepared to face a discussion in the Assembly.
“Bring up the discussion on Monday. We will present our complete two-year performance, including the challenges and difficulties we have faced,” he said.
After BJP leaders reportedly described the resolution as anti-national, Abdullah dismissed the accusation. “When we are asking for statehood, how does that become anti-national? Tell me, did we use a single anti-national or unconstitutional word in this resolution?” he asked. According to Abdullah, the resolution merely urges the Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s “full and complete” statehood.
Welcoming Congress’s support for the resolution, Abdullah said there was nothing unconstitutional in its contents. “Congress is comfortable with it because they know there is nothing wrong with this resolution. It simply seeks to send the voice of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to New Delhi,” he said. Abdullah argued that the Assembly, unlike the cabinet, represents the full spectrum of political opinion in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Statehood is not about the Governor, not about my family, not about one political party or an individual. Statehood is about the entire Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. He added that the resolution was intended to unite the House behind a common demand for the restoration of statehood and send that message directly to the Central Government.
Won’t allow Art 370 debate in House: BJP
Srinagar: BJP leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Friday rejected the resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on statehood restoration, and said the party will not allow a debate or admission on issues of autonomy or Article 370.
Speaking to reporters here, Sharma termed the resolution brought before the House as “controversial, disputed, and invalid,” and asserted that the BJP would never tolerate any attempt to revisit issues settled in the past.
Abdullah moved a resolution in the assembly to seek urgent restoration of full statehood to the Union territory, leading to turbulent scenes in the House and even fist fights.
Members of the opposition BJP stormed the well of the House in protest, and angry words broke out between them and legislators of the ruling National Conference. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House for 30 minutes when his pleas asking the MLAs to return to their seats went unheeded.
The resolution reads: “In addition to the resolutions passed by this House on 26 June 2000 and 6 November 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 this resolution be forwarded to the Government of India.”
The NC-led government headed by Farooq Abdullah passed a resolution on June 26, 2000, for restoration of greater autonomy as existed before August 9, 1953.
On November 6, 2024, the house passed a resolution seeking the restoration of special status.
However, Sharma, the LoP in the assembly, launched a scathing attack on the government after the resolution was moved.
He recalled that the autonomy resolution was rejected by the Centre during prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, and pointed out that Omar Abdullah was part of the ruling NDA at the time.
“The resolution moved today is controversial and disputed. The so-called autonomy resolution that the BJP had rejected and torn apart during Vajpayee’s tenure — while Omar Abdullah was in his government — bringing up that resolution again today, or referencing their so-called 2024 resolution on special status, makes this an entirely controversial, unacceptable, and invalid resolution that the BJP will never tolerate,” the LoP said.
He said the BJP fully rejects the resolution and demands that the chief minister clarify whether he continued to remain in Vajpayee’s cabinet even after the autonomy resolution was rejected.
Sharma accused the government of referencing the past resolutions solely to stoke public sentiment and deflect from administrative shortcomings.
“Today, having lost credibility in Jammu and Kashmir on governance issues, this government is introducing such terminology simply to revive its image and whip up so-called sympathy, sentiments, and emotions among Kashmiris. The BJP rejects this outright. Under no circumstances will we allow a debate or admission on so-called autonomy or Article 370,” he added.
The LoP challenged the government to an open debate over the issue of statehood, and alleged that the ruling dispensation is “deliberately creating controversies around special status to stall statehood”.
“You are trying to mislead Kashmir. Under the pretext of statehood, you are raising these issues simply to delay it. You know that once statehood is granted, you will face tough questions about your performance.
“To hide your failures, you are deliberately prolonging statehood. Just a week ago, you met the Union Home Minister, and now you have orchestrated this conspiracy to delay statehood because your governance is coming under scrutiny,” he said.
Sharma also questioned the Congress’ stand and sought a clarification from the party on its stance over the resolution.
“From Rahul Gandhi down to their state unit chief, they must clarify their position. Do they support this resolution, the pre-1953 position, and Article 370, or do they stand with the government? If they support the government, do they endorse its stance on Article 370 and the so-called autonomy resolution?” Sharma asked.
The LoP warned that the BJP would continue its protest until clear answers are provided by both the government and the Congress party.
