J&K Assembly Passes Resolution Demanding Urgent Restoration of Full Statehood

J&K Assembly Passes Statehood Resolution

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution calling for the urgent restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had moved the resolution on September 25, and it was taken up for discussion after members were given an opportunity to debate the issue. The resolution was ultimately passed amid protests and a walkout by BJP legislators.

What Does the Resolution Say?

The resolution calls upon the Government of India for the "immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood" to Jammu and Kashmir and states that it should be forwarded to the Centre.

It also refers to two earlier resolutions passed by the Assembly — one on June 26, 2000, concerning greater autonomy, and another on November 6, 2024, concerning the restoration of special status.

Omar Abdullah Moves the Resolution

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the resolution was intended to remind the Centre of commitments regarding the restoration of statehood.

Abdullah argued that Jammu and Kashmir had already undergone delimitation and elections and questioned why the restoration of statehood had not taken place. His comments represented the position of the Jammu and Kashmir government.

BJP Opposes the Resolution

BJP legislators strongly objected to the manner in which the resolution was brought before the House and to references to the region's earlier autonomy and special status.

BJP members entered the well of the Assembly, raised slogans and protested during the proceedings. They also opposed the Speaker's decision to allow the resolution to proceed and later walked out before the vote.

BJP Raises Objections Over Assembly Procedure

The BJP also submitted a motion seeking the removal of Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.

BJP legislators alleged that the resolution had been allowed in violation of Assembly rules. The Speaker said that any such motion would have to be dealt with according to the applicable procedural requirements, including the prescribed notice period.

Amendments on Special Status and Autonomy

Several amendments were proposed during the discussion, including amendments seeking references to the restoration of the special status Jammu and Kashmir had before August 2019.

According to reports, eight of the amendments sought to broaden the resolution in this manner. Abdullah appealed to members not to press the amendments, arguing that the Assembly had already passed resolutions on special status in the past.

Jammu and Kashmir's Constitutional Status Since 2019

Jammu and Kashmir has been a Union Territory since August 2019, when the erstwhile state's special constitutional status was changed and the former state was reorganised into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory has its own Legislative Assembly, while Ladakh remains a separate Union Territory without a legislative assembly.

Resolution Passed Amid BJP Walkout

After the BJP legislators continued their protest and walked out, the Assembly proceeded with the resolution.

The resolution was passed despite the Opposition's objections. The development has renewed the political debate over statehood and the future constitutional and administrative status of Jammu and Kashmir.

What Happens After the Resolution?

The resolution calls for the document to be forwarded to the Government of India. Its passage by the Assembly is therefore a formal political demand from the elected House, rather than itself constituting restoration of statehood.

Any actual change in Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional or administrative status would require action at the Union level under the applicable constitutional and legal framework.

Key Takeaways

• The J&K Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on September 28, 2026, seeking urgent restoration of full statehood.

• Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved the resolution.

• The resolution asks the Government of India to restore full statehood.

• It refers to earlier Assembly resolutions passed in 2000 and 2024.

• BJP legislators protested the resolution and walked out before the vote.

• Several amendments sought references to special status and autonomy.

• The BJP also raised objections concerning the procedure followed by the Speaker.

• Passage of the resolution does not itself restore statehood; further action at the Union level would be required.