Jammu and Kashmir | The state of being a non-state

Omar steers a statehood resolution, the second one in two years. It's a reminder as well as renewal of oathON THE MOVE: Omar Abdullah at the J&K assembly in Srinagar, Sept. 25. (Photo: ANI)ISSUE DATE: Oct 26, 2026 | Oct 17, 2026 14:36 IST It was a small set piece of legislative theatre, meant as much for the acoustics in the hall as the desire for the voice to carry to New Delhi. No one would object if it does, of course. Overcoming its status diminution is an idea that carries broad consensus in Jammu and Kashmir. So, on September 28, when the assembly adopted a resolution seeking the “immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood”, it wasn’t chafing against anyone’s politics. Ever since 2019, when J&K was stripped of its special status and bifurcated into Union territories, even the Centre has repeatedly called its UT status temporary and return of statehood a solemn promise—to be fulfilled at an “appropriate time”.