Sajad Lone walks out, terms bill endorsement of UT status; Waheed Para Says First Bill of NC-Led Govt Stamps August 5 Changes, Undermines Call for Statehood
It is a Reality that J&K is a UT,: CM Omar Abdullah
Jammu: The maiden bill presented by the National Conference-led government in the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly on Monday sparked protests from opposition members, with Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone alleging that the bill confirms the Union Territory status of J&K.
As Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced the Jammu & Kashmir Goods and Services (Amendment) Act-2025, Sajad Lone, according to news agency JKNS, rose from his seat and voiced strong opposition, terming bill endorsement of UT status.
“This move is a clear approval of J&K’s conversion into a Union Territory. I cannot be a party to this act,” Sajad said before storming out of the House
PDP leader and MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para also raised objections. The amendment bill proposes replacing the words “Government of Jammu & Kashmir” with “Government of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.” In a post on X, Waheed wrote, “On March 25, 2025, the J&K Assembly presented the GST Amendment Bill 2025, changing ‘Government of Jammu and Kashmir’ to ‘UT of J&K.’ We strongly object. This bill effectively legitimizes the post-August 5 developments, weakening the demand for restoration of special status and statehood.”
After Sajad Lone’s walkout from Assembly, CM Pmar Abdullah as per news agency JKNS stood up and said, “This is a WhatsApp forward that we too received. What my honourable member is showing, and on the basis of which Sajad Sahab left the House, is just a WhatsApp forward that creates the perception that if this bill is passed, it will make J&K a UT. But we already are a UT, whether we like it or not. This is the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said.
He added, “We took oath in the name of the UT. We have passed grants on Finance, and while reading them, I have mentioned UT many times. If I remove the word UT from this bill, will the status of UT change? No,” Omar said.
Despite the opposition’s protest, the bill was later passed by voice vote, with support from NC, Congress, and allied parties. —(JKNS)
