Full Breakdown
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Passes Statehood Resolution Amid BJP Walkout
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Passage of a Statehood Resolution and Legislative Turmoil
The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 25, 2026. BJP legislators staged a walkout, tore copies of the text, and later moved a motion to remove Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for allowing the debate. Rather said the removal motion would be placed on the business list after a 14-day period.
Background & Context
Jammu and Kashmir lost its statehood when the Union Government abrogated Article 370 and split the former state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on August 5, 2019. The Assembly had previously adopted a June 26, 2000 autonomy resolution and a November 6, 2024 resolution seeking restoration of the pre-2019 special status. Abdullah’s 2026 resolution references both, stating it “does not replace or subsume” them.
Timeline
- June 26, 2000 – Autonomy resolution adopted.
- November 6, 2024 – Resolution calling for restoration of special status.
- August 5, 2019 – Centre revokes Article 370.
- September 25, 2026 – Abdullah moves the statehood resolution.
- September 28, 2026 – Resolution passed; BJP walkout and motion to remove speaker.
Data & Statistics
- 29 BJP MLAs participated in the walkout.
- 23 BJP legislators supported the motion to remove Speaker Rather.
- 10 legislators (NC, PDP, Congress) submitted amendments, later withdrawn.
- 5 BJP MLAs were marshalled out of the chamber.
Official Statements & Responses
He warned that linking statehood to the end of militancy would place the decision in the hands of Pakistan rather than New Delhi.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather rejected the BJP’s claim of procedural violation, citing Rule 215(2) and insisting any removal motion must wait the mandated 14-day interval.
BJP Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma called the resolution “anti-constitutional” and said references to the 2000 autonomy resolution revive a pre-1953 position the party cannot accept.
Criticism & Opposition
Ranbir Singh Pathania, a BJP MLA, moved the removal motion, asserting the Speaker “cannot conduct the proceedings.” Sharma added that invoking the autonomy resolution creates a “double flag” issue threatening national unity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If Delhi feels statehood should be restored only after militancy is over then the decision of granting statehood is not with Delhi. It is with Islamabad,” — Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister
- “You (Speaker) cannot conduct the proceedings. Someone else will have to.” — Ranbir Singh Pathania, BJP MLA
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Chief Secretary Atal Duloo and Law Secretary Achal Sethi sent letters to Speaker Rather stating the resolution was “sub judice” and should not be debated. Abdullah said he was unaware of the letters and suggested they reflected a loss of control inherent to Union Territory status. The authorship of the letters remains unclear.
What’s Next
Speaker Rather announced that the BJP’s motion to remove him will be listed after the required 14-day period. The statehood resolution has been forwarded to the Government of India, but no timetable for a decision has been provided.