Kumar Bahukhandi
Legislators gather in the well of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly amid heated exchanges during the debate on the statehood resolution in Srinagar on Monday, September 28, 2026. Photo: X/Social Media
BJP walks out after opposing references to earlier autonomy and special-status resolutions; four BJP and Congress legislators marshalled out amid uproar
Key Highlights
- Resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seeks the “immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood” to Jammu and Kashmir.
- BJP opposed references linking the resolution to earlier Assembly resolutions and staged a walkout.
- BJP MLAs Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta and Congress MLAs Irfan Hafiz Lone and Iftikhar Ahmad were marshalled out amid disruptions.
- The resolution was passed on Monday, September 28, after a prolonged and contentious debate.
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution calling upon the Government of India to restore full statehood to the Union Territory, amid heated exchanges, protests and a walkout by BJP legislators.
The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 25, states that, in addition to resolutions passed by the House on June 26, 2000 and November 6, 2024, the Assembly calls upon the Government of India for the “immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir” and resolves that the resolution be forwarded to the Centre.
BJP legislators objected particularly to the reference to the 2000 resolution, which dealt with restoration of greater autonomy, and to attempts by several legislators to bring Articles 370 and 35A and the pre-August 2019 constitutional position into the statehood debate. BJP Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said his party supported restoration of statehood but opposed linking the demand with the earlier constitutional arrangement.
Uproar Inside the House
The confrontation intensified during Monday’s proceedings as legislators protested and raised slogans. BJP MLAs Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta, along with Congress legislators Irfan Hafiz Lone and Iftikhar Ahmad, were marshalled out of the House after the Speaker warned members to maintain discipline and decorum.r
The BJP subsequently walked out before the resolution was passed. The House adopted the resolution and, after completing the day’s listed business, was adjourned until Tuesday
