The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution seeking restoration of special status but avoided a direct mention of Article 370 or 35A, marking a climbdown to avoid a confrontation with the BJP-led Centre.

The resolution was moved by ruling National Conference leader and deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary, who is from Jammu, a symbolic gesture suggesting the issue cuts across regional lines.

The resolution led to an uproar in the House, prompting BJP legislators to jump into the Well, tear papers, break furniture and ask the Speaker to withdraw it.

Chief minister Omar Abdullah said the Assembly had done its job with the passing of the resolution.

The resolution said the Assembly “reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal”.

It also called upon the government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of the Union Territory to work out “constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions”.

“Any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” it read.

Though the BJP protested the move, its leaders privately drew solace that the resolution made no direct mention of Article 370. The Congress, too, was pleased with the development, although its six legislators chose to remain silent in the House. Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Karra said this was the first democratic expression of the people here.

“There should be no reason for the Centre to deny the rights and protection to the people of Jammu and Kashmir which are already in vogue in many other parts of the country. The Congress is committed to fighting for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and safeguarding the rights of its people to land, jobs, natural resources and its unique cultural identity,” he said.

The BJP found itself isolated in the House after MLAs from the Peoples Democratic Party, People’s Conference and the Aam Aadmi Party and Independent members voiced support for the resolution.

BJP legislators continued to raise slogans, some of them religious. They said Kashmir belonged to them and accused the ruling party of running "Pakistan’s agenda". There were also slogans like “Speaker go back”.

That prompted a warning from Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who said he would put the resolution to vote. He also dared them to move a no-confidence motion against him. The Speaker put the resolution to voice vote and it was passed.