In a sharp exchange within the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized the National Conference's (NC) persistent calls for the restoration of J&K's "special status". The BJP has asserted that the concept of "special status" lacks constitutional basis and that Article 370, which previously granted special autonomy to the region, is a closed chapter.

The debate was ignited by NC legislator Javid Hassan Baig, who, during discussions on the budget presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, emphasized the importance of restoring J&K's special status. Baig argued that Article 370 defined the constitutional relationship between the erstwhile state and the Indian Union, and that Article 35A, derived from Article 370, protected land rights and government jobs for the people of J&K. He contended that the J&K Constitution, along with the state flag, constituted the "special status" that the NC seeks to reinstate.

Sunil Sharma, the Leader of Opposition from the BJP, countered Baig's assertions by challenging the NC to identify where the term "special status" is explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution. Sharma stated that he would accept any punishment if the NC could produce such evidence. He insisted that "Article 370 has been buried" and that the NC is misleading voters by invoking the idea of a special status.

Sharma further clarified that while states often seek special packages and incentives related to employment or development, these should not be equated with the "special status" being demanded by the NC. He accused the NC of using the "special status" rhetoric to divert attention from their governance failures and to legitimize past electoral promises. Sharma also claimed that the NC was "mocking daily wagers, unemployed youth, and beneficiaries of government schemes" by focusing on the issue of special status.

The BJP's stance is that Article 370 is now "history" and will not be restored. The party maintains that the abrogation of Article 370 was essential for the full integration and development of Jammu and Kashmir.

The legislative assembly witnessed a heated exchange between the NC and BJP members, with slogans being raised in favor of Article 370 by NC MLAs and counter-slogans of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" by BJP MLAs.

The revocation of Article 370 took place on August 5, 2019, when the Parliament abrogated the article and divided J&K into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. While the NC continues to advocate for the restoration of special status, the BJP remains firm in its position that Article 370 is a thing of the past and that the focus should be on development and integration.