Srinagar, Sep 28: “How long can we have patience?” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah thundered in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday, mounting a strong defence of the resolution seeking restoration of full statehood and declaring that the demand was neither a charity nor a favour but a right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Assembly subsequently adopted the resolution through a voice vote after Speaker Abdur Rahim Rather said there was no need for amendments once the Chief Minister had clarified the government’s position.
“We are not beggars, and statehood is not a charity that the Government of India (GoI) will give to us, but it is our right,” Omar said, concluding his response amid a day of intense political confrontation over the wording of the resolution.
‘Statehood belongs to the whole of J&K’
Omar said the demand for statehood was neither a matter concerning the treasury benches nor the Opposition but belonged to the entire J&K.
“Statehood is neither of this side nor that side. It belongs to the whole of Jammu and Kashmir,” he had said while moving the resolution on Friday.
The Chief Minister had moved the resolution on Friday, calling upon the Government of India for the “immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood” to J&K and seeking that it be forwarded to the Centre. The resolution also referred to earlier resolutions passed by the House on June 26, 2000, and November 6, 2024.
‘Some colleagues fell into BJP’s trap’
During his response on Monday, Omar said some of his colleagues had fallen into the BJP’s “trap” by moving amendments to the resolution, thereby giving the BJP an opportunity to oppose it.
He referred to the resolution passed by the House in 2000 during the tenure of his father and then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, saying the BJP had supported that resolution at the time.
“After the formation of the present government, the Assembly had also passed a resolution seeking restoration of the special status and constitutional guarantees,” Abdullah said. “The present resolution had been brought against the backdrop of a commitment made to the people of J&K.”
‘We have been waiting’
When he moved the resolution on Friday, CM Omar had said the Centre had outlined a three-step process of delimitation, elections and restoration of statehood, and argued that the first two stages had already been completed. He said people had participated in the elections with the expectation that statehood would follow.
“We have been waiting,” Abdullah said, arguing that the Government of India had repeatedly been reminded of its commitment in public and private meetings and through various forums.
He also invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s own reference to the commitment, saying the Prime Minister had described it as “Modi’s promise” and questioned why it had not yet been fulfilled.
‘Maharaja left a united J&K’
Omar also accused the BJP of undermining the legacy of Maharaja Hari Singh, arguing that the Maharaja had left behind a unified J&K, while subsequent changes had altered the erstwhile state’s status and constitutional position.
His remarks came amid a broader confrontation in the House over the wording and scope of the resolution, with BJP members objecting to references they said went beyond the issue of restoration of statehood.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma said the BJP was also committed to restoration of statehood but objected to the language of the resolution, arguing that references to the earlier constitutional position were unacceptable. Several amendments had been proposed, including demands for references to Articles 370 and 35A. PDP MLA Waheed Para had also moved an amendment seeking restoration of the special constitutional provisions.
Omar, however, maintained that the resolution was about restoring statehood and questioned attempts to alter its character through amendments.
‘I was not informed debate was barred’
Responding to objections over whether the issue could be discussed in the Assembly, Omar said he was not aware, as Chief Minister, of the Speaker having been formally informed that a debate on statehood could not be held because the matter was “sub judice.”
He questioned the delay in addressing the issue and reiterated that the elected Assembly was entitled to convey the people’s demand for restoration of statehood.
Resolution adopted through voice vote
Speaker Abdur Rahim Rather subsequently said there was no need for amendments to the resolution after the Chief Minister had clarified the government’s position. The House then adopted the resolution through a voice vote.
The passage of the resolution came after a day of intense political confrontation over its wording as BJP legislators continued to shout anti-government slogans from the Well of the House.
