Omar Abdullah moves resolution in Assembly seeking full statehood to IIOJK
BJP protests, House adjourned amid ruckus
Srinagar : In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today moved a resolution in the Legislative Assembly seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood to the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Omar Abdullah moved the resolution after Question Hour, urging the BJP-led Indian government to restore full statehood to IIOJK.
“In addition to the resolutions passed by this House on 26 June 2000 and 6 November 2024, the House calls upon the Government of India for full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and resolves that this Resolution be forwarded to the Government of India,” the resolution said.
The National Conference (NC)-led government headed by Farooq Abdullah had passed a resolution on 26 June 2000 for the restoration of autonomy to occupied Jammu and Kashmir. On 6 November 2024, the Legislative Assembly passed a resolution seeking restoration of special status.
Speaking in the House, Omar Abdullah referred to New Delhi’s commitment to restore statehood, saying that what he described as “Modi Ka Wada” should have been implemented. He said the denial of statehood had proved extremely damaging for Jammu and Kashmir, adding that promises had been made to the people of Kashmir in the Indian parliament, the Supreme Court and at multiple public forums that statehood would be restored.
He also highlighted the administrative implications of IIOJK continuing as a Union Territory, citing the functioning of the Soura Institute of Medical Sciences.
“The implications of not having statehood is that files of the institute, one of our premium healthcare institutes, do not come to us,” he said. Omar Abdullah said Health Minister Sakina Itoo was unable to take decisions on matters concerning the institute, while the Finance Department allocated funds to the facility without having control over how the money was subsequently spent.
Omar Abdullah called for a detailed discussion on the resolution, saying restoration of statehood was a common concern cutting across party lines.
The reference to the 2000 resolution, however, triggered protests from BJP members, who said that they would not allow any discussion on the issue of autonomy in the House. “We will not allow discussion on the issue of autonomy in the House,” BJP legislator Pathania said.
Amid the continued ruckus, IIOJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House for half an hour.
