Omar Abdullah moves statehood resolution in J&K Assembly amid loud protests by BJP MLAs

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved a resolution on Friday, September 25, 2026 for the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. File | Photo credit: Imran Nissar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday moved a resolution to restore statehood “in continuation of the autonomy resolution of 2000”, sparking protests from opposition BJP lawmakers who tore up the resolution, clambered over the table and opposed any move to discuss autonomy or Article 370 in the assembly.

Fulfill the promise: To restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir

“In addition to the resolutions passed by this House on June 26, 2000 and November 6, 2024, this House calls on the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and resolved that this resolution be referred to the Government of India,” read the resolution tabled by Mr. Abdullah in the Supplementary List of Business.

The Chief Minister said that this resolution “does not supersede or take over the previous resolutions of the Assembly” like in 2000 and 2024 on autonomy and special status.

Not unconstitutional: Abdullah

“We own these resolutions. This resolution is an addendum to these resolutions. No one should misinterpret that we are just demanding statehood and forget the past resolutions. This is not an unconstitutional resolution. We want full statehood, not half or quarter and not without law and order,” Mr. Abdullah said.

He said the resolution was based purely on logic. “There is not a single anti-national word in it. We have not brought any new resolution on autonomy because it has already been passed and is the property of the House,” Mr Abdullah said.

He said the new resolution was necessary because the cabinet resolution was not considered a vote of the people. “The resolution of the legislature reflects the will of the entire political spectrum of J&K. Statehood is not about my government, my family or an individual. It is about the whole of J&K,” Mr. Abdullah said.

He said the resolution was “only for the Center to restore statehood to J&K”. “Unfortunately, BJP legislators don’t want that. They are exposed. BJP legislators should have allowed the Speaker to start the debate. They could have taken a stand in their speeches. But they don’t want to vote for statehood and all 29 BJP legislators stand as an obstacle to statehood.”

VIDEO | Srinagar: J&K CM Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) submits to the assembly a resolution on the urgent restoration of full statehood; The ‘Modi promise’ is still waiting.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/DGpR30zJXs

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 25, 2026

Many parties support

Apart from the ruling Congress ally and the CPI(M), lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC) also supported the resolution.

“J&K’s accession to India rests on the promises of 1947. Statehood is not a matter of charity,” said JKPC chief and lawmaker Sajad Lone. PDP lawmaker Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi also flashed a banner in favor of Article 370 in the House.

Meanwhile, the mention of the 2000 autonomy resolution, which demanded greater autonomy for the region and which was later rejected by Parliament, sparked outrage from BJP MLAs. They tore up the NC resolution, stormed the Well of the House and climbed onto the tables, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the session for half an hour. However, rowdy scenes continued as the assembly resumed and BJP legislator Vikram Randhawa was ejected.

“We are ready to discuss statehood, but this resolution is controversial and contentious. The BJP has rejected the autonomy resolution. The Congress should clarify its position, from Rahul Gandhi to the state Congress chief. Is it with this resolution? Is it with the pre-1953 resolution? Is it with (Article) 370 or with the government?” said BJP legislator and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma.

He said that the so-called autonomy, the so-called resolution 370 will not be allowed here. “There will be no debate about that,” Mr Sharma said.

He said the government has lost its grip on governance in J&K. “To restore its strength, NC has brought such words by which this so-called sympathy, so-called sentiments, so-called emotions should be re-created in Kashmir,” Mr. Sharma said.

Referring to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mr Sharma said: “The autonomy resolution was rejected. Wasn’t Omar Abdullah a minister in the NDA at that time?” said Mr. Sharma.

Published – 25 Sep 2026 12:10 PM IST