BJP protests Omar’s statehood resolution, seeks Speaker’s removal

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed a major confrontation on Monday as BJP legislators protested Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statehood resolution, entered the Well of the House and disrupted proceedings over references to the 2000 autonomy resolution.

The BJP also moved a notice seeking the removal of Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, adding another flashpoint to the ongoing session.

BJP MLA R.S. Pathania informed the House about the notice and questioned how Rather could continue in the Chair while a motion seeking his removal was pending. He demanded that the Speaker vacate the Chair.

Rather declined, saying the notice had been submitted in writing and could be taken up after the prescribed 14-day period under Assembly procedure. He then continued with Question Hour.

BJP legislators subsequently entered the Well, raised slogans and demanded that Rather leave the Chair. Papers were torn and some were thrown towards the Chair during the protest. BJP members later conducted mock proceedings from the Well as the disruption continued.

The immediate trigger was the wording of Omar Abdullah’s statehood resolution, particularly its reference to the Assembly’s June 26, 2000 autonomy resolution and a resolution passed on November 6, 2024.

The BJP has maintained that it supports restoration of full statehood but opposes linking the demand with Article 370, autonomy or the constitutional arrangements that existed before August 2019.

Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma questioned the inclusion of such references, citing the Supreme Court’s judgment on Article 370 and asking whether the Assembly could reopen an issue already decided by Parliament and adjudicated by the court.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary defended the government’s position during the noisy proceedings.

Meanwhile, PDP MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para said eight National Conference legislators had raised questions over the wording of the resolution. He also questioned the omission of explicit references to Articles 370 and 35A.

At least 10 amendments have been submitted to the resolution, including proposals from NC legislators seeking references to Articles 370 and 35A and the constitutional position preceding August 5, 2019. Para has separately proposed adding restoration of autonomy to the resolution.

The Assembly’s sixth session began on September 21 and is scheduled to conclude on September 30. The statehood resolution has emerged as the central point of contention between the ruling benches and BJP during the session.