IIOJK assembly passes bill seeking restoration of Article 370
Srinagar: In a significant political move, the occupied Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, led by puppet Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, passed a bill seeking the restoration of Article 370, aiming to reinstate the territory’s special status that was revoked by the Indian government in August 2019.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the bill was tabled by the ruling National Conference (NC) on Wednesday, in line with the party’s commitment to its manifesto promise of fighting for the restoration of the territory’s special status. The proposal was introduced by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Singh Choudhary, who called for the restoration of occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s special provisions, which were unilaterally abrogated by the Indian government during a controversial move on August 5, 2019.
A heated debate ensued on the floor of the Assembly, with NC members strongly supporting the resolution. However, the proposal faced fierce opposition from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, led by legislator Sunil Sharma, who called the resolution “unacceptable.” Despite the opposition, the resolution was passed after a majority of legislators, excluding BJP members, expressed their support.
Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather called for a vote, and after counting the opinions, the resolution was officially passed. This move comes after years of protests and continued demands from regional parties, including the National Conference, to restore Article 370 and reverse the actions taken by the Indian government in 2019.
This bill’s passage marks a significant step in occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s ongoing political struggle for its special status, as the territory continues to face challenges following the abrogation of Article 370.
