The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly erupted into chaos on Thursday as BJP legislators protested the recent passage of a resolution seeking Article 370 restoration. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, unable to restore order amid heated exchanges, adjourned the House for 15 minutes.
The uproar followed Wednesday’s contentious decision by the Assembly to approve a resolution calling for the restoration of Article 370, which previously granted special status to J&K before its abrogation by Parliament in 2019. BJP leaders denounced the resolution as “unconstitutional,” arguing that the abrogation of Article 370 had been legally sanctioned by Parliament and upheld by the Supreme Court of India.
The ruling National Conference (NC) members, who supported the resolution, pushed back against BJP’s objections. Tensions escalated further when BJP members strongly opposed any move to revisit the region’s former special status, ultimately prompting the Speaker’s temporary adjournment.
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The resolution, introduced by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and seconded by NC minister Sakina Masood, urged the central government to engage in dialogue with J&K representatives to explore restoring special status. It emphasized the importance of safeguarding both national unity and the identity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Leader of the Opposition, BJP’s Sunil Sharma, condemned the timing of the resolution, arguing it disrupted scheduled discussions on the Lieutenant Governor’s address. “When the business of the House was to discuss the LG’s address, how was this resolution moved?” Sharma questioned amid the commotion.
Despite the protest, Speaker Rather called for a vote, and the resolution passed with majority support. Independent MLAs, including Sheikh Khurshid Ahmed, Shabir Ahmad, Sajad Lone from the People’s Conference, and three PDP legislators, also backed the motion.
Following the vote, the Assembly remained in turmoil, forcing Rather to call a temporary adjournment. While the resolution’s passage may carry limited constitutional weight, it highlights a growing political divide between J&K’s leadership and the central government over the contentious issue of Article 370.
Since its abrogation on August 5, 2019, Article 370 and Article 35A—both providing J&K with autonomy—have been nullified by Parliament, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench. However, the NC’s recent resolution underscores a persistent demand for the re-establishment of statehood and special protections for the region, potentially setting the stage for further political confrontation with the Centre.