Jammu and Kashmir Passes Resolution Calling for Dialogue with Centre on Restoring Article 370

Amidst growing unrest, the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on Wednesday calling for the restoration of Article 370. The resolution urges the Centre to engage in talks with elected representatives regarding the restoration of the region’s special status, which was revoked on August 5, 2019. The resolution was introduced by Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and seconded by NC leader and minister Sakina Masood.

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Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Passes Resolution for Article 370 Restoration, BJP Protests

“That this legislative assembly 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,” the resolution moved by Choudhary said.

“This Assembly emphasises that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the resolution added.

The passage of the resolution was strongly opposed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including the Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, who said it was not part of the listed business. BJP members also tore the copies of the resolution and threw the pieces into the well of the House.

Also Read: कनाडा में हिंदू मंदिर पर खालिस्तानियों के हमले से नाराजगी, विदेश मंत्री बोले- ये बेहद चिंताजनक

BJP Rejects Article 370 Resolution, NC and BJP Clash in Assembly

“We reject the resolution. The Business given to us was that the discussion is on the Lieutenant governor’s address,” he said.

Sharma claimed there is a “rat race” among parties in Jammu and Kashmir “but they all know nothing is going to happen”.

“The Act has been passed by the biggest temple of democracy in the country (Parliament),” he added.

Sharma’s comments did not sit well with treasury benches and noisy scenes were witnessed in the House with most of the NC and BJP members on their feet.

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Resolution for Restoration of Article 370 Passed in J&K Assembly

NC members raised slogans that the resolution be passed. Amid the din, speaker Abdul Rahim Rather put the motion to vote and it was passed by the majority of the house.

Independent MLAs Sheikh Khurshid Ahmed, Shabir Ahmad, Sajad Lone of the People’s Conference (PC) and three MLAs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supported the resolution.

The passing of the resolution seeking restoration of statehood to J&K by the ruling NC would constitutionally have little impact, but at the political level, the passage has brought the J&K government into direct confrontation with the Centre. Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated by the country’s Parliament on August 5, 2019, and the power of the Parliament to do so was upheld by a Constitutional bench of the Supreme Court.

Also Read: कनाडा में हिंदू मंदिर पर खालिस्तानियों के हमले से नाराजगी, विदेश मंत्री बोले- ये बेहद चिंताजनक