The Union Territory government headed by Omar Abdullah in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday fulfilled its ‘obligation’ of passing a resolution, as promised in their election manifesto, seeking a dialogue between the Centre and elected representatives for the restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state.

The resolution, which also expressed “concern” over the “unilateral removal” of the special status, was passed without any debate as the Speaker put it to voice vote amidst noisy scenes.

As Kashmir-based political parties supported the resolution on the floor of the assembly the Bharatiya Janta Party legislators strongly opposed it. The resolution papers were torn apart by slogan-shouting MLAs protesting in the well of the house after the resolution was passed.

“The assembly has done its job. I will only say this much,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told reporters outside the assembly complex.

Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma said the question should be asked to the Congress party whether they supported or opposed the resolution for restoration of special status. It was an illegal move. The assembly is not above Parliament and the Supreme Court.

Earlier NC MLA and J-K’s deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution for restoring the special status of J-K, which was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

The motion was seconded by Education and Health  Minister Sakina Itoo.

“That this legislative assembly reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal,” the resolution moved by Choudhary said.

This Assembly emphasizes that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the resolution added.

As the house witnessed chaos and confusion the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

However, after the House met again, it continued to witness a ruckus, forcing the speaker to adjourn it for an hour. 

Outside the Assembly, the political parties in the Kashmir valley welcomed the resolution and in Jammu, the BJP leaders burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for passing the said resolution.

“This resolution is historic and I congratulate the members of the House,” CPI(M)’s MLA from Kulgam, M Y Tarigami said.

He said it has been “our commitment that we will restore what has been taken from us on August 5, 2019”.

Former Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation Junaid Azim Mattu in a post on X said, “If this NC resolution is not a cruel joke with the people of J&K, I don’t know what is. - No mention of Article370. - No mention of J&K Reorganization Act 2019 - No resolve to oppose/reject what was done. - Just vague references begging for “dialogue” over Special Status.

Addressing media persons in Srinagar, PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti said, “We welcome the resolution of J&K for restoration of special status. But the language used in the resolution is weak.

It is a half-hearted effort. They should have condemned the action of 2019. We should make amendments to the resolution”.

PDP’s youth leader and MLA Pulwama, Waheed Para said some words in the resolution could have been stronger.

“We had requested for a dialogue between the members, but there were no talks.

“Some words should have been stronger. The condemnation of August 5 (2019) is missing, and it does not mention that the special status be restored,” he added.

The PDP MLA said there is no need or demand or any requirement of a dialogue for the restoration of the special status of J-K.

“We seek its restoration in its originality.

Peoples’ Conference chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Lone said what happened on August 5, 2019 “was against the will of the people of J-K”.

“Today, the balls were set rolling to reject it. This is the majoritarian viewpoint of the people of J-K. I am very happy today.

The first Assembly after 2019 has put a stamp that what was done on August 5, 2019, was morally, ethically, and legally wrong. It will now be remembered in history how the people of J-K rejected it,” Lone said.

Congress party, which is an alliance partner of the ruling National Conference, said statehood to J-K with constitutional guarantees, including protection of land and jobs rights must be restored, without any further delay.

Congress Legislature Party leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir said the Congress, through a resolution passed in its CWC on August 5, 2019, has endorsed the “resentment of people against downgrading and bifurcation of erstwhile J-K state, describing the move as undemocratic and unconstitutional on the part of BJP government at the Centre”.