The statehood resolution passed by the J&K assembly, with references to earlier resolutions on autonomy and special status, has not gone down well with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central leadership in New Delhi, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said.
“This is an abuse of Indian democracy and constitution. What it means is that you can’t enter the state without a permit. Chief minister Omar Abdullah had moved the resolution on September 25, referring to the autonomy resolution passed in 2000 and the special status resolution passed in 2024. The NC-led government headed by Farooq Abdullah had passed the resolution on June 26, 2000, for restoration of greater autonomy as existed before August 9, 1953. In 2024, the Omar-led House had passed a resolution favouring special status. LoP Sharma met Union home minister Amit Shah on September 26, a day after Omar’s moved the resolution. Sharma said the BJP was ready to support the statehood resolution, but references to pre-1953 position and special status were ‘sticking points’. They are demanding pre-1953 position.
He said that the resolution will further widen the gulf between Delhi and the UT government. “I was told in Delhi that while the unrest in J&K has been quelled, attempts were being made to sow the seeds of that unrest again,” Sharma said. He, however, said that the Centre was committed to granting statehood. It means state within a state,” he said.
