SRINAGAR: J&K assembly passed a resolution introduced by National Conference (NC) Wednesday that calls on the Union govt to initiate discussions on the restoration of the former state's special status — revoked in 2019 with the abrogation of Article 370.
Though the resolution emphasizes J&K's distinct identity, culture, and rights, there is no mention of Article 370.
The resolution was brought to the house by deputy CM Surinder Choudhary while BJP's 28-member bloc protested it. The resolution reads: "This assembly calls upon the govt of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of the people of J&K for the restoration of special status, constitutional guarantees, and to work out the constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions".
BJP legislators protested against it saying that it had come about in violation of all the legislative protocols. Opposition leader Sunil Sharma leveled a charge against CM Omar Abdullah's coalition govt alleging it had violated procedures to the assembly, for this was the day it decided to discuss the address presented by the lieutenant governor. The BJP legislators staged demonstrations several times as a protest against the resolution but the speaker Abdur Rahim Rather put the resolution into voting and it went ahead with a majority vote.
CM Abdullah defended the resolution saying it was now the Centre's responsibility to respond to the assembly's call. NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi said the move was only a preliminary step: "The fight won't stop here as only the doors have been opened today through the assembly."
The resolution was backed by lawmakers outside the governing alliance: three PDP members, three independents, and People's Conference chief and party MLA Sajad Lone.
However, Independent legislator and jailed Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid's brother Sheikh Khursheed of Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) welcomed the resolution "in principle" but suggested that it would be "unconstitutional" if it attempts to alter Article 370, or J&K Reorganisation Act of 2019. "There is no reference to Article 370 or 35A, nor is any mention of J&K Reorganisation Act of 2019 made, and no commitment whatsoever to restore the measures as imposed on August 5, 2019", he declared, terming the resolution "a half-hearted step not meeting poll promises made by NC, PDP, and Congress".
The resolution was moved on Monday after another event of development when PDP legislator Waheed Para introduced a private member's resolution for the restoration of Article 370. It, however, was disallowed after protests by NC and BJP members.
PDP president and former CM Mehbooba Mufti termed the NC-sponsored resolution as "half-hearted" and "lacking conviction". She said it should have severely condemned the abrogation of Article 370.
Today, PDP has proved that numbers matter not. A strong opposition can force a majority government to fulfill the aspirations of the people and live up to its promises with the public. This is a result of the dedicated effort of the PDP," Mehbooba said, claiming that PDP's relentless advocacy led to introduction of the resolution.
BJP was quick to criticize the move, accusing NC of pushing a divisive agenda. "This is a fake resolution and lacks legal validity," said opposition leader Sunil Sharma, adding that "no one is above Parliament".
Parliament repealed Article 370 on Aug 5, 2019, ending J&K's special status and restructuring the region into two Union territories — including Ladakh. The Supreme Court later upheld the parliamentary decision.
BJP's Jammu and Kashmir chief Sat Sharma today led a protest outside the party office, with supporters burning effigies of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his deputy. "NC-Congress has a history of fooling people, and BJP will continue protesting against these nefarious designs," Sharma said.
The intense debate over the autonomy of J&K and protests against the resolution by J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra threw up the question of why a dialogue with the Centre on constitutional guarantees and statehood was problematic.
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