J&K Assembly passes a resolution asking the Centre to restore statehood

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday, 28 September 2026, passed a resolution asking the Centre for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had moved it on Friday, 25 September. Deccan Herald and The Hindu reported a voice vote amid a BJP protest and walkout. Hindustan Times reported a majority after a long debate. Deccan Herald reported that the vote does not itself restore statehood, and that restoration would require action by the Centre.

The text, Deccan Herald reported, also cites House resolutions of 2000 and 2024 and is to be forwarded to the Government of India. The 26 June 2000 resolution, under Farooq Abdullah, sought greater autonomy as before 9 August 1953. The 6 November 2024 resolution sought restoration of special status. The Indian Express reported that the Centre had rejected the 2000 text.

Ten amendments were filed. The Indian Express reported that six National Conference MLAs, among them Baramulla MLA Javid Hassan Baig, sought to add Articles 370 and 35A. Baig's wording was "along with restoration of Article 370 and the constitutional protections formerly available under Article 35A". PDP MLA Waheed Para sought those provisions in their original form, with autonomy. Congress MLA Nizam-ud-din Bhat sought a reminder of commitments. Hindustan Times reported amendments on autonomy and Article 370, and said the passed text refers to autonomy and special status.

Deccan Herald reported that Abdullah asked members not to press the amendments, that eight MLAs withdrew them, and that Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather put the original text to a voice vote. It passed during the BJP protest. The references the papers describe are that original text's mention of 2000 and 2024, and Hindustan Times' description of the passed resolution. The accounts do not say Article 370 or Article 35A is back in force.

The Hindu reported that BJP MLAs entered the well, tore papers and held mock proceedings led by Sham Lal Sharma. Four were marshalled out. Slogans included "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Speaker sahib, kursi chodo", The Indian Express and ABP Live reported. BJP MLA R. S. Pathania said 23 MLAs had signed a Rule 215(2) motion to remove the Speaker, and asked him to step aside. Rather said he had not seen it and that it could be listed only after 14 days. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, also reported as Surinder Chaudhary, asked why the House should wait.

Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP wants statehood and objects to the wording. A later account of the same sitting says BJP legislators called references tied to earlier autonomy and special-status positions unacceptable and unconstitutional, and that Sharma said the party supports statehood but not that language. The Hindu reported that he called the resolution a violation of the Constitution, said the National Conference wanted to "sabotage" it, and called talk of Article 370 or a double constitution "derogatory". He said statehood was the BJP's agenda. His claim that Amit Shah had expressed displeasure is his account. The resolution remains a demand to the Centre. Statehood has not been restored.

Choudhary asked what had happened to the promise of statehood in Parliament and before the Supreme Court. He also asked, The Indian Express reported, whether a border, which Rajasthan shares too, meant dropping the demand. Minister Sakina Ittoo called the protest "drama for the galleries". Congress leader Nizamuddin accused the BJP of "jingoism", Hindustan Times reported. Those are the members' words.

Deccan Herald reported that Jammu and Kashmir was a state until the 2019 Reorganisation Act created two Union Territories, and that police and public order remain with the Lieutenant Governor. It reported that the Supreme Court in December 2023 upheld the abrogation of Article 370 and said statehood should be restored at the earliest. The House adjourned and is due back on Tuesday.

What's next

The resolution is to be forwarded to the Government of India, Deccan Herald reported. The paper said restoring statehood would require action by the Centre. The Assembly is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. Speaker Rather said the motion to remove him would be listed only after 14 days.