Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution this week asking the Centre to hold talks with elected representatives for restoration of Article 370, which grants a special status of the Union Territory. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution for restoring the special status of the erstwhile state, which was revoked by the Centre on August 5, 2019.
"That this legislative assembly reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal," the resolution moved by Choudhary said. The resolution added that the process should safeguard both national unity and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Soon after the resolution was introduced, ruckus ensued in the Assembly with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators tearing copies of the document and raising slogans against the National Conference-led government in J&K. On November 7, tempers flared, leading to a fist fight among some members. The turmoil began when Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, brother of jailed Baramulla Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid, displayed a banner on Article 370 during the proceedings.
Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. The move led to the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
