J&K Assembly Session Begins Amid BJP–NC-Congress Protests

Srinagar, September 22, 2026: The autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly began amid protests and competing political demands, with BJP legislators raising issues including electricity tariffs, employment and the regularisation of daily-wage workers, while members of the ruling National Conference (NC) and its Congress ally raised the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

The first day of the session saw repeated disruptions during Question Hour. BJP legislators entered the Well of the House and raised slogans against the Omar Abdullah-led government. NC and Congress members responded with slogans concerning statehood, leading the Speaker to adjourn the House for the day.

Autumn Session Begins

The session began with Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather reading obituary references for former members who had died since the previous session, including former minister and National Conference leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, former Congress leader Dharam Paul, and former PDP leader Ghulam Hassan Khan. Members observed silence before legislative proceedings began.

The autumn session is scheduled to continue through the end of September, with reports describing it as a multi-sitting session. The Assembly was scheduled to meet again on September 22 after the opening day’s adjournment.

BJP Raises Electricity, Employment and Workers’ Issues

The BJP, led in the Assembly by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, began its protest shortly after Question Hour started.

BJP legislators raised concerns over the recent electricity tariff increase, the position of daily-wage workers and contractual employees, employment-related issues and the concerns of National Health Mission (NHM) workers.

The BJP also demanded regularisation of daily-wage workers and raised questions concerning outsourcing of government jobs and public services.

BJP legislators displayed placards and entered the Well of the House as the Speaker appealed to them to return to their seats and allow Question Hour to proceed.

Sunil Sharma subsequently argued that the opposition’s role was to question the government over public issues and alleged that the Omar Abdullah government had not fulfilled several of its commitments. These statements represent the BJP’s position and allegations rather than independently established findings.

NC and Congress Raise Statehood Demand

The protests were followed by counter-slogans from members of the National Conference and Congress, who raised the issue of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

The ruling alliance has repeatedly made restoration of statehood a political demand following the reorganisation of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

During the Assembly proceedings, NC and Congress legislators argued that the Centre had made commitments regarding statehood and that the issue should remain a priority.

Congress leaders also accused the BJP of disrupting proceedings when the question of statehood was being raised. That accusation is a political claim by Congress and is not independently established by the reports reviewed.

Speaker Appeals for Order

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather repeatedly appealed to protesting members to return to their seats and allow the legislative proceedings to continue.

The disruption affected Question Hour, although some legislators were able to raise questions while the protests continued.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said the government was prepared to respond to questions raised by the opposition and urged members to allow the proceedings to continue.

The continued protests eventually led to the House being adjourned for the day.

Other Issues Raised During the Session

The opening day was not limited to the BJP’s protest and the statehood debate. Other political and policy issues also came before the House.

PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para moved an adjournment motion seeking discussion on the rationalisation of reservations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Para argued that the reservation framework required examination, particularly in relation to employment and opportunities for young people. His comments reflected the PDP’s position on the issue.

The issue of employment has remained an important subject in the Assembly, with different parties raising concerns about government recruitment, contractual employment, daily-wage workers and opportunities for young people.

Jal Jeevan Mission Report Tabled

Amid the political protests, a House committee report concerning alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Jammu and Kashmir was also tabled in the Assembly.

The committee was constituted to examine alleged irregularities in the implementation of the programme. The report was presented by committee chairman Justice (retired) Hasnain Masoodi, an MLA from Pampore.

The report’s tabling provides the Assembly with another issue for legislative discussion during the session.

Cooperative Societies Bill Introduced

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Javid Ahmad Dar also introduced a Bill seeking amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies Act, 1989.

Reports said the proposed legislation includes changes concerning cooperative law, including provisions related to the earlier Self-Reliant Cooperative Act.

The legislative business proceeded alongside the political protests on the opening day.

BJP’s Criticism of the Omar Abdullah Government

The BJP has accused the Omar Abdullah-led administration of failing to adequately address several public concerns during its period in office.

Sunil Sharma raised issues including electricity tariffs, employment, daily-wage workers, NHM employees, outsourcing and basic public services.

The BJP has presented these matters as evidence of shortcomings in the government’s administration. The Omar Abdullah government and its supporters have disputed the opposition’s characterisation and maintained that the administration is prepared to address issues raised in the Assembly.

For an accurate account, these claims should be understood as competing political positions unless independently verified through official data or other evidence.

Statehood Remains a Central Political Issue

Restoration of statehood remains one of the most significant political issues in Jammu and Kashmir following the 2019 reorganisation.

The National Conference and Congress have continued to raise the issue in the Assembly, while BJP legislators have focused during the opening day on governance and public-service concerns.

The competing priorities were visible during the first day’s proceedings, with one side focusing on the functioning of the elected administration and public issues and the other emphasising the restoration of statehood.

What to Watch During the Session

Several issues are expected to remain important as the Assembly session continues:

• Restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood
• Electricity tariffs and power supply
• Regularisation of daily-wage and contractual workers
• NHM employees’ concerns
• Government employment and recruitment
• Outsourcing of public services
• Reservation policy
• Implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission
• Cooperative-sector legislation
• Performance of the Omar Abdullah government

The manner in which these issues are debated could shape the political exchanges between the ruling alliance and the BJP during the remaining sittings.

Conclusion

The opening day of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s autumn session was marked by protests from both opposition and treasury benches.

The BJP focused on electricity tariffs, employment, daily-wage workers, NHM employees and alleged governance shortcomings, while the National Conference and Congress highlighted the demand for restoration of statehood.

Alongside the political confrontation, the Assembly also took up legislative and administrative matters, including the Jal Jeevan Mission committee report and amendments to cooperative legislation.

With the session continuing, debates over statehood, governance, employment, reservations and public services are likely to remain central to proceedings.