The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday vehemently opposed the National Conference-led Jammu and Kashmir government’s resolution advocating for special status, calling it “unconstitutional” and tearing copies of the document in the Union Territory’s Assembly. Party workers also staged protests in Jammu, demanding clarity from the government.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution seeking restoration of its special status, urging the Government of India to begin talks with elected representatives of the Union Territory to establish “constitutional mechanisms” for reinstating these provisions. The resolution highlighted the “importance of special status and constitutional guarantees” that safeguarded the identity, culture, and rights of J&K’s people, expressing concern over their unilateral removal.

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Leader of the Opposition in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, criticised the resolution as a “surprise” addition to the day’s agenda, claiming it wasn’t officially listed for discussion. “We were scheduled to discuss the address by the Lieutenant Governor. But the government cleverly and suddenly moved this resolution,” Sharma said.

Terming the resolution “illegal,” Sharma argued it “has no legal sanctity because this Assembly is neither above Parliament nor the Supreme Court.” He emphasised that Article 370 is “history” and that “no one can rewrite this.”

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In a contrasting stance, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya suggested on social media platform X that the resolution reflects a “new approach” by the National Conference. “Instead of insisting on the full restoration of Article 370, the resolution calls for open dialogue on the issue — a significant shift that acknowledges the new reality, post 5th Aug 2019,” Malviya wrote.

Sharma also targeted Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, alleging he played a role in drafting the resolution, calling him a “political worker.” Directing criticism toward Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Sharma accused the National Conference of “misleading” Kashmiris on Article 370. “They have a habit of misleading the people of Kashmir. People who used to indulge in street politics by fooling people in the name of 370, autonomy or Jamaat-e-Islami… They are worried about the peace that has settled in after August 5, 2019,” he said.

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Sharma further questioned the Congress party’s alignment, calling on Rahul Gandhi and Congress to clarify their stance on Article 370. ‘Congress will have to explain this support on a national stage, he said.

Responding, Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir referenced the party’s 2019 statement denouncing the downgrading of J&K’s status, terming it “undemocratic and unconstitutional.”

In a separate protest, BJP members in Jammu urged the central government to engage in dialogue with elected J&K representatives, emphasiaing that clarity and collaboration are crucial for the Union Territory.