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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday moved a resolution in the Legislative Assembly seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood, triggering a heated confrontation between ruling National Conference and opposition BJP members.
The resolution referred to two earlier resolutions passed by the House — one on June 26, 2000, concerning autonomy and another on November 6, 2024, seeking restoration of special status. It called on the Government of India to urgently restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and forward the resolution to the Centre.
The reference to the 2000 autonomy resolution drew strong objections from BJP legislators. They entered the Well of the House, raised slogans and argued with members of the ruling National Conference. Some BJP members also tore copies of the resolution during the protest.
The confrontation later turned physical, with reports of fist fights between members. BJP legislator Vikram Randhawa was removed from the House by security personnel amid the uproar.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather repeatedly urged the protesting members to return to their seats. When the disruption continued, he adjourned the proceedings for 30 minutes.
BJP members objected to any discussion on the 2000 autonomy resolution. BJP legislator R S Pathania said his party would not allow the issue of autonomy to be discussed in the Assembly.
Omar Abdullah later told reporters that the resolution was about restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, not seeking greater autonomy or special status. He accused BJP members of creating a disruption to avoid voting on the statehood issue.
The latest confrontation came amid an ongoing debate in the Assembly over the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, with the ruling National Conference continuing to press for the demand.