Srinagar, Sept. 29 -- Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly on Monday passed a resolution seeking restoration of statehood amid protests and a walkout by BJP legislators. Asserting that statehood was the right of the J&K people and not a charity or favour from the Centre, chief minister Omar Abdullah highlighted governance challenges, stating that officials were not under his government's control and that even law and chief secretaries wrote to the speaker against the statehood resolution.

"Two years have passed since elections. The Supreme Court has said in the Article 370 judgment that statehood be restored as soon as possible after elections. Which dictionary says 'as soon as possible' means two years?" he asked.

On December 11, 202...