Syed Snowber
Srinagar, Nov 6: In a bold and defiant move, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution calling for the restoration of the region’s special constitutional status, which was unilaterally revoked by the central government in 2019. The passage of the resolution, amid vociferous protests from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, has set the stage for a renewed confrontation between the regional and national power centers.
The resolution, which was presented by J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, “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.” It further emphasizes that “any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
However, the resolution faced stiff opposition from the BJP, whose members tore copies of the document and raised slogans against the Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather. The BJP’s leader of the opposition, Sunil Sharma, dismissed the resolution, stating that it was “not part of the listed business” and that the “Act has been passed by the biggest temple of democracy in the country (Parliament).”
The heated exchange between the ruling and opposition parties led to frequent disruptions in the proceedings, prompting the Speaker to ultimately adjourn the House for the day. The BJP’s protest continued even after the adjournment, with members shouting slogans like “5 August zindabad” (Long live August 5) and “anti-national agenda nahi chalega” (Anti-national agenda won’t work).
The passage of the resolution has been welcomed by several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the CPI(M) and the Peoples’ Conference. However, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti termed it a “half-hearted” effort, suggesting that the resolution could have been written “in a better way.”
The move by the J&K Assembly is the latest chapter in the ongoing tussle between the regional and central governments over the issue of the erstwhile state’s special status. The BJP-led government at the Center had abrogated Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir a unique constitutional position, in 2019, and subsequently bifurcated the state into two Union Territories.
The passage of this resolution, despite the BJP’s fierce opposition, showcases the regional parties’ determination to challenge the Center’s decision and assert the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. As the political tensions escalate, the stage is set for a prolonged battle over the restoration of the state’s special constitutional guarantees.
