The bill has split Kashmir's Muslim majority

The upper house of the assembly has adjourned debate on a bill that would strip Kashmiri women of their residency rights if they married a non-Kashmiri.

The bill is supported by the main Kashmir parties but opposed by the main national parties.

It could become a major poll issue in India's forthcoming general elections.

Future talks

The Jammu and Kashmir Permanent Resident (Disqualification) bill was introduced by the state's ruling People's Democratic Party and has already been passed in the lower house of the state legislative assembly.

Late on Thursday the chairman of the upper house adjourned the debate after more than six hours of discussion.

He said debate would resume in a future session of the assembly.

The issue led to a strike in Indian-administered Kashmir on Thursday in protest at the measure.

The national Congress Party, which is a partner in the Kashmiri ruling coalition, wanted the bill to be referred to a select committee rather than voted on.

Protests

The strike, which has been called by the BJP, some local parties and women's rights groups affected the Jammu region of Indian-administered Kashmir, where the bill is opposed.

Markets, businesses, schools and colleges closed and public transport was off the roads forcing thin attendance in government offices and banks.

The Muslim-majority Kashmir valley and Jammu, which is mainly Hindu, are divided over the bill.

Jammu and Kashmir has its own constitution and enjoys a special status in India.

Under Article 370 of the Indian constitution, the state has the right to enact its own laws - a right that has often been challenged by right-wing Indian parties including the BJP.

Only permanent residents of the state enjoy benefits such as voting rights, government jobs and buying property.

This system was introduced by the erstwhile Dogra rulers of Kashmir in 1927 who feared that the British colonial rulers of India would encourage outsiders to buy property in the state and undermine the authority of the kingdom.