The first day of the newly elected Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session erupted into chaos on Monday as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) pushed for the restoration of Article 370, the provision that previously granted the region special status.
PDP leader Waheed Para, representing Pulwama, introduced a resolution opposing the 2019 abrogation, drawing sharp criticism and protests from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, who demanded the resolution’s rejection and the expunging of Para’s comments.
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti expressed support for Para’s stance, posting on X that she was “proud” of his initiative.
However, Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dismissed the move as a symbolic gesture without genuine intent, claiming it lacked prior discussions with his party, the National Conference.
Omar argued that if the resolution had real substance, collaborative talks would have taken place, further suggesting that the effort was aimed at gaining public attention rather than achieving substantive change.
The assembly session, the first in six years, is scheduled to conclude on November 8.
