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The first session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 saw a heated debate sparked by a resolution introduced by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para. The resolution called for the restoration of Article 370, which had granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir before its revocation by the Indian government in 2019. The resolution ignited controversy, with the BJP, the ruling party at the center, condemning the move, while other regional parties showed varying degrees of support.
The resolution's introduction comes at a significant time, as the recent Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir were the first in ten years and the first since the abrogation of Article 370. This has created a platform for diverse political voices to express their views on the issue, which has been a contentious point in the region's political landscape. Para, in his address, invoked the 1951 Constituent Assembly, where the founder of the National Conference, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, played a crucial role in shaping Jammu and Kashmir's political structure. He highlighted the Assembly's potential as a platform for negotiating relations between the region and the central government.
However, the BJP legislators saw the resolution as inappropriate and demanded its dismissal. Sunil Sharma, the Leader of the Opposition, criticized its introduction on the first day of the Assembly session. Meanwhile, other regional parties like the Awami Ittehad Party and the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference showed support for Para's resolution. Despite the controversy, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who was elected on the same day, stated that he would review the resolution before making a final call on its fate. Adding to the complexity, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dismissed the resolution as a mere publicity stunt, claiming that its significance was minimal and that it was introduced without prior consultation with other political parties. While the outcome of the resolution remains uncertain, its introduction has underscored the ongoing debate surrounding Article 370 and its ramifications for the political future of Jammu and Kashmir.
Source: J&K Assembly: Peoples Democratic Party MLA’s resolution for restoration of Article 370 sparks uproar