The National Conference (NC) has significantly intensified its campaign across Jammu and Kashmir, rolling out a series of outreach programs aimed at galvanizing support for the restoration of the region’s statehood. This heightened activity precedes a planned protest in New Delhi later this month, signaling a determined push by the party to pressure the central government on the issue.
The party has announced its intention to stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, a prominent protest site in the capital, on July 20, coinciding with the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. This protest is explicitly focused on demanding the Union government reinstate Jammu and Kashmir‘s full statehood. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that party leaders are currently engaged in extensive meetings throughout the Union Territory to meticulously finalize their strategy and ensure a substantial turnout in New Delhi, underscoring the importance the NC places on this demonstration.
A senior NC leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the protest would largely be spearheaded by the party’s legislators, with senior party functionaries, including its top leadership, also participating. The leader further stated that the party’s leadership is directly overseeing the preparations to guarantee the success of the protest. In addition to the parliamentary protest, sources within the party reveal plans to organize rallies in both Jammu and Srinagar in the coming days as part of this broader mobilization effort. This multi-pronged approach highlights the NC’s commitment to making the demand for statehood a central focus of its political agenda.
The current outreach efforts follow closely on the heels of a significant event where over 150 representatives from various segments of civil society adopted a resolution. This resolution formally urged the Union Government to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir without any further delay. The resolution was passed during a meeting held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. The meeting was presided over by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. This gathering was widely interpreted as a strategic move to garner broader civil society backing in anticipation of the upcoming protest in Delhi, demonstrating a unified front on the statehood issue.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary articulated earlier in the week that the planned demonstration would serve as a reflection of the “collective will” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed his conviction that such a unified expression of public sentiment should compel the Centre to honor its commitment to restoring statehood. Reaffirming the significance of this demand, Choudhary reiterated on Thursday that the restoration of statehood is not merely a political aspiration but is, in fact, an essential prerequisite for the strengthening of democratic institutions, ensuring effective governance, and accelerating the overall developmental trajectory of Jammu and Kashmir. His statements emphasize the NC’s framing of statehood as a fundamental requirement for the region’s progress and democratic health.
Since assuming office in 2024, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other senior National Conference leaders have consistently and vociferously pressed the Union government to restore the region’s statehood. The Union Government, however, has maintained a stance that statehood will be reinstated at an “appropriate time,” a response that has been met with increasing impatience by the NC and other regional parties. The issue has also gained considerable traction within the ruling party itself, with a number of National Conference legislators reportedly urging the government to pursue the demand with greater vigor. This internal pressure is partly attributed to concerns over the Union Territory’s current dual governance structure, which some legislators believe necessitates a more assertive approach to regaining full statehood and its associated administrative powers. The ongoing political discourse and the intensified campaign by the National Conference underscore the persistent demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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