The move comes years after New Delhi stripped the disputed Himalayan region of its special constitutional status in 2019, drawing strong opposition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party.
Lawmakers in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir have voted to support a resolution calling for the restoration of the territory’s statehood, years after New Delhi revoked its special constitutional status.
The resolution, approved on Monday, September 28, urges the central government in New Delhi to fulfill past commitments regarding the region's administrative status. While the assembly's vote is not legally binding on the Indian government, it reignites a contentious political debate over the governance of the disputed Himalayan territory, which has a population of approximately 13 million.
The motion was introduced in the Srinagar-based legislative assembly by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s administration. Addressing the house, Abdullah maintained that the restoration of statehood is a fundamental right for the region.
"This resolution calls upon the New Delhi government, which has repeatedly promised the restoration of statehood at an appropriate time, to ensure the immediate and complete reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir’s state status," the text of the resolution stated.
The measure faced sharp opposition from lawmakers belonging to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Several BJP members boycotted the session prior to the vote, denouncing the resolution as "anti-national" and unconstitutional.
The political friction stems from August 2019, when the Indian government led by Prime Minister Modi revoked Article 370 of the constitution, stripping the region of its semi-autonomous status and special privileges. Following the constitutional amendment, Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated and reorganized into two federally administered union territories.