Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Concludes Autumn Session Amid Heated Debate Over Statehood

Srinagar. After seven intense days, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly wrapped up its autumn session, leaving the chamber split between the ruling coalition and a vociferous opposition. On the final day, opposition leader Sunil Sharma launched a blistering critique of the Omar Abdullah government, asserting that numerous complaints raised by legislators and ordinary residents remain unresolved.

Opposition’s List of Grievances

Sharma dismissed the administration’s claim that the session was productive. He pointed out that, although the Bharatiya Janata Party raised issues from several districts, matters affecting daily‑wage laborers, contractual staff, National Health Mission workers, ASHA volunteers and Anganwadi employees were sidelined.

Statehood Resolution Ignites Controversy

The most polarising episode centered on a resolution demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tabled the motion on September 25, and the Assembly approved it despite a walkout and protests by BJP legislators.

While the BJP publicly endorses the return of statehood, it objected to the wording of the resolution, which referenced earlier positions on autonomy and special status. Sharma labeled the text unconstitutional and questioned why Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather allowed the debate to proceed in spite of objections from the Law Department and the Chief Secretary.

Speaker Faces Scrutiny

Sharma pressed the Speaker to take responsibility for permitting the contentious resolution to be discussed and adopted. Rather defended the Assembly’s procedural safeguards, insisting that the house adhered to established rules for such matters. The exchange intensified the confrontations that defined the week‑long session.

BJP Vows to Scrutinise Government Record

Following adjournment, Sharma pledged that the opposition would keep the government under close watch. He announced that the BJP would compile a detailed dossier contrasting the promises made by the Abdullah ministry with its actual performance.

Session Ends with Deepening Divide

The autumn session concluded with stark disagreements over governance priorities, public‑service concerns, and the statehood resolution, underscoring the persistent political rift within the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.