Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged leaders of the INDIA bloc to extend support to the National Conference’s proposed protest in New Delhi, demanding the restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory. The appeal was made during the INDIA bloc meeting held in the national capital on Monday, where opposition parties discussed their joint political strategy ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

According to NC spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, Omar Abdullah called on all participating parties to join the peaceful demonstration planned by the National Conference legislature party on the opening day of the upcoming parliamentary session. He said the protest would be held in Delhi, likely at Jantar Mantar or another designated site, to press for what the party describes as the “constitutional and democratic rights” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The proposal for broader opposition participation follows a June 3 meeting of NC MLAs, MPs and independent legislators supporting the Jammu and Kashmir government, during which it was unanimously decided to stage a protest in the national capital. The demonstration aims to intensify the demand for restoring statehood, which the party argues is essential for political and administrative empowerment in the region.

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The issue of statehood restoration has remained a central political demand in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019, when the Union government abrogated Article 370, revoked the region’s special status, and reorganised the erstwhile state into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature, and Ladakh without one. Since then, multiple political parties in the region have repeatedly called for reversing the decision and reinstating statehood.

The National Conference government, led by Omar Abdullah, had earlier passed a cabinet resolution in October 2024 seeking the restoration of statehood in its original form. The resolution described statehood restoration as a necessary step toward rebuilding constitutional safeguards, addressing public concerns, and beginning what it termed a process of political and social healing in the region. Copies of the resolution were subsequently submitted to top central leaders, including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.

However, despite repeated political appeals, there has been no formal progress on the demand. While the central government has maintained that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time, the National Conference has recently hardened its stance, signalling renewed efforts to build broader political support. The upcoming protest in Delhi is expected to be a key moment in the party’s renewed campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

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