2000 Autonomy Demand, 2024 Special Status Resolution and 2026 Statehood Resolution Mark Changing Focus
Srinagar, October 2, 2026: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s latest resolution seeking restoration of full statehood has become the latest development in a constitutional and political debate that has evolved over more than two decades.
The resolution, passed on September 28, 2026, calls upon the Government of India for the “immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood” to Jammu and Kashmir. It also refers to two earlier Assembly resolutions passed in 2000 and 2024.
2000: Demand for Greater Autonomy
The first major resolution in this sequence was adopted on June 26, 2000, during the government headed by then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. It accepted the recommendations of the State Autonomy Committee and sought their implementation.
The recommendations envisaged substantially greater powers for Jammu and Kashmir while retaining key subjects such as defence, foreign affairs, currency and communications with the Centre. The Union Government subsequently did not accept the resolution.
2024: Special Status and Constitutional Guarantees
After the constitutional changes of August 2019 and the reorganisation of the former state, the newly elected Assembly adopted another resolution on November 6, 2024.
That resolution called for dialogue with elected representatives of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the restoration of what it described as special status and constitutional guarantees. The wording of the adopted resolution did not itself expressly demand restoration of Article 370 and Article 35-A.
2026: Focus Shifts to Statehood
The latest resolution, moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 25 and passed on September 28, takes a narrower institutional position by specifically seeking restoration of full statehood.
The resolution was adopted after BJP legislators opposed it and walked out of the Assembly. Reports said the final text did not expressly seek restoration of Article 370 or Article 35-A.
Three Resolutions, Different Demands
The three resolutions therefore represent different formulations: the 2000 resolution focused on greater autonomy, the 2024 resolution on special status and constitutional guarantees, and the 2026 resolution on restoration of full statehood.
The resolutions themselves do not amend the Constitution or automatically change Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status. Their significance is political and institutional, while any legal change in status would require action through the constitutional and legislative mechanisms empowered to make such changes.
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