Kashmir Assembly Passes Nonbinding Resolution Demanding Immediate Restoration of Statehood

Jammu and Kashmir’s assembly passed a nonbinding resolution calling for the immediate restoration of the territory’s full statehood, which it lost when the central government revoked Article 370 and reorganized the region in 2019. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said statehood was the territory’s right and that New Delhi should fulfill its promise to restore it. BJP legislators opposed the measure, objected to how it was brought before the assembly, and walked out; some also sought the removal of the assembly speaker. The resolution references earlier assembly demands for autonomy, while the BJP objected to linking statehood restoration with calls to restore Article 370 and special status.
At least eight amendments were moved seeking to add restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-2019 special status to the resolution.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather declined to step down after the BJP sought his removal, saying the notice would be listed after 14 days under assembly procedure.
The resolution passed without the BJP’s 29 MLAs in the 90-member assembly, after BJP legislators entered the well of the House and staged a mock proceeding.
Although Jammu and Kashmir elected its first government since coming under New Delhi’s direct control in 2024, the local government has limited powers and the territory remains, in practice, governed by a Delhi-appointed administrator.
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