Srinagar — The National Conference (NC) has reignited debate around Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional future by passing a resolution reaffirming its “unwavering commitment” to the restoration of special status and demanding the “immediate return of statehood” to the region. The resolution was adopted during a working committee meeting chaired by party president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday.
The meeting, convened in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, including a Nepalese citizen, also addressed the escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, which culminated in a ceasefire on May 10.
Resolution Details
The resolution denounced the “horrific Baisaran attack” and condemned the subsequent cross-border shelling, calling for a sustained dialogue to achieve long-term peace. The NC emphasized that restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and statehood is central to meeting the “aspirations and dignity” of its people.
“The Working Committee unanimously reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status,” the resolution read. “We will continue to fight for its restoration… and urge the Government of India to restore full statehood immediately, as promised in Parliament and supported by the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench.”
Opposition Reaction
The move has stirred criticism from the Opposition, which questioned why such a resolution wasn’t debated or passed in the Legislative Assembly, the more appropriate forum for matters of constitutional significance.
A senior Opposition leader commented:
“It’s unclear why the National Conference is using a party forum instead of taking this debate to the Assembly, where these decisions matter the most.”
Call for Dialogue and Condemnation of Harassment
The NC also welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, urging both governments to pursue “sustained peace and dialogue” and seek long-lasting solutions to violence in the region. The resolution commended the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their “spontaneous and overwhelming support” in condemning the Pahalgam terror attack, while also expressing concern over the harassment of Kashmiris in other parts of the country.
The party strongly condemned:
- Arbitrary arrests
- Targeted harassment of youth
- Use of bulldozers
- Intimidation of media voices
“These actions only alienate the very people who have stood firmly for peace,” the resolution warned. It further urged all state governments to ensure the safety and dignity of Kashmiris living or working elsewhere in India.
Broader Context
This resolution comes at a time of heightened sensitivity in the region, following recent terror violence and military action, including India’s retaliatory strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. With the political climate tense and general elections on the horizon, the NC’s move is seen by some as an attempt to reassert its core political narrative and rally public sentiment in Jammu and Kashmir.
Whether the resolution leads to tangible policy change or remains a symbolic gesture remains to be seen — but it has undoubtedly rekindled debate over Kashmir’s political future, both within and beyond the Valley.
