J&K assembly passes resolution for urgent statehood restoration amid BJP walkout

NEW DELHI: The Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly on Monday passed a resolution demanding the urgent restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory, amid strong protests and walkout from BJP legislators.The resolution was moved by chief minister Omar Abdullah and was passed despite opposition from the BJP, the largest opposition party in the assembly.Jammu and Kashmir has remained a Union Territory since the BJP-led Centre abrogated Article 370 in August 2019 and reorganised the erstwhile state into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The BJP opposed the resolution, questioning the manner in which it was allowed by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather. BJP legislators said the Speaker had permitted the resolution to be taken up in relaxation of the assembly rules.As soon as the assembly proceedings began on Monday, BJP members stood up and protested against the resolution.The opposition party also moved a motion seeking the removal of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, alleging that he had allowed the chief minister's resolution in violation of the rules. Abhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.