SRINAGAR — Proceedings in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly descended into chaos on Friday after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced a resolution calling for the immediate restoration of the region’s full statehood.
The move triggered heated exchanges between lawmakers from the ruling National Conference and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), eventually leading to a physical confrontation inside the chamber.
BJP legislators objected to references in the resolution to two earlier assembly resolutions passed in 2000 and 2024. They then moved into the well of the House and confronted National Conference members, with the argument escalating into a scuffle.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather eventually adjourned the proceedings for 30 minutes after repeated appeals for lawmakers to return to their seats failed. Earlier, BJP legislator Vikram Randhawa was removed from the chamber by security personnel following the disruption.
The resolution refers to a June 26, 2000 assembly resolution and another adopted on Nov. 6, 2024. It calls on the Indian government to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir “immediately and urgently”.
National Conference lawmakers welcomed Omar Abdullah’s motion by thumping their desks. BJP members, however, objected particularly to the reference to the 2000 resolution concerning autonomy.
BJP legislator R.S. Pathania said his party would not allow a discussion on autonomy in the assembly.
BJP lawmakers also alleged that the resolution had been introduced without following proper legislative procedure and tore up copies of the motion during the uproar.
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, Omar Abdullah rejected the suggestion that the resolution sought greater autonomy or restoration of special status.
He said the motion was specifically about restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and alleged that BJP lawmakers were creating a disturbance to avoid voting on the issue.
The BJP has opposed the inclusion of the earlier autonomy-related resolution, while the National Conference government has maintained that the current motion is focused on restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
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