Full Breakdown
Statehood Resolution Sparks Assembly Turmoil
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Background & Context
Jammu and Kashmir’s agenda has been shaped by three resolutions: the June 26 2000 autonomy resolution, the November 6 2024 restoration-of-special-status resolution, and the August 5 2019 abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. The Centre promised a three-step process—delimitation, elections and full statehood—that remains unfulfilled. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tabled a new statehood resolution on September 25 2026.
Key Figures & Groups
- Omar Abdullah – Chief Minister, National Conference (NC)
- Sunil Sharma – Leader of Opposition, BJP
- Abdul Rahim Rather – Speaker, J&K Assembly
- R. S. Pathania – BJP MLA, mover of the speaker-removal motion
- NC legislators Javid Hassan Baig, Tanvir Sadiq, Ajaz Ahmed Jan, Hilal Akbar Lone, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Choudhary Mohammad Akram – filed amendments
- Nizam Ud Din Bhat – Congress MLA supporting the resolution
- Amit Shah – Union Home Minister (cited by BJP)
Timeline
- June 26 2000 – Autonomy resolution passed.
- November 6 2024 – Resolution for restoration of special status passed.
- August 5 2019 – Articles 370 and 35A abrogated; J&K became Union Territories.
- September 25 2026 – Omar Abdullah moves the statehood resolution.
- September 28 2026 – Debate scheduled; BJP files motion to remove the Speaker.
Core Event: Assembly Chaos Over Statehood Demand
Six NC legislators and one Congress MLA filed amendments demanding explicit inclusion of Articles 370 and 35A. On September 28 2026, BJP members entered the House, tore business papers and staged mock proceedings. Simultaneously, they moved a motion to remove Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, citing Rule 215(2); 23 BJP MLAs supported it. Rather said the motion would be listed after the mandatory 14-day notice and proceeded with Question Hour, which was later disrupted.
Data & Statistics
- 6 NC legislators and 1 Congress MLA filed amendments.
- 9 MLAs (5 NC, 2 PDP, 1 Congress, 1 independent) sought inclusion of Articles 370/35A.
- 23 BJP MLAs backed the speaker-removal motion; the party holds 29 seats.
Official Statements & Responses
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather emphasized that the removal motion must await the 14-day rule before being listed for a vote.
Criticism & Opposition
BJP Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma called the resolution a “violation of the Constitution” and said references to pre-1953 autonomy are “insulting.” BJP MLA R. S. Pathania demanded the Speaker step aside, stating the Speaker cannot conduct the proceedings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You saw how the BJP reacted to this. Because they simply do not want to vote on statehood. They want to back out of this vote under one pretext or another,” — Omar Abdullah
- “J&K is a sensitive State and we have enemies around. They are hatching conspiracies. We don't want to oppose for the sake of opposition. We want Statehood to be restored. It is our agenda. But the kind of resolution they have brought is in violation of the Constitution and is unacceptable,” — Sunil Sharma
- “You (Speaker) cannot conduct the proceedings. Someone else will have to.” — R. S. Pathania
Why It Matters
The episode highlights the political fault lines over J&K’s constitutional status. The NC frames the resolution as a unified demand for statehood; the BJP sees the inclusion of past autonomy references as a breach of the post-2019 legal framework. The standoff could delay a vote that would signal the Centre’s willingness to honour its promises, affecting governance and stability in the region.
What’s Next
The Assembly is expected to reconvene on Monday to consider the statehood resolution after Question Hour. The speaker-removal motion will be placed on the business list after the 14-day notice period, as required by Rule 215(2). Both matters remain pending and will influence the trajectory of J&K’s statehood negotiations.