The leadership of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) arrived in the national capital on Saturday ahead of the party’s planned protest on July 20, seeking the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. NC president Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reached Delhi to oversee preparations for the demonstration proposed at Jantar Mantar.

Several NC legislators, senior party leaders and workers have also travelled to New Delhi to coordinate arrangements for the protest. The party has maintained that the programme will proceed as scheduled and is being organised as a peaceful democratic effort to highlight its demand for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

However, uncertainty remains over whether the Delhi administration will grant permission for the gathering at Jantar Mantar. As of Saturday evening, no official approval for the protest had been confirmed, leading to questions over whether the party would be allowed to hold the demonstration at the planned venue.

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The situation has drawn additional attention following recent action by authorities during protests involving climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters in Delhi. Reports of protesters being removed from the site and Wangchuk being shifted to a hospital have increased speculation about possible challenges the NC could face in securing permission for its programme.

The National Conference has repeatedly demanded the restoration of statehood since forming the government in Jammu and Kashmir. Party leaders have argued that statehood is necessary to strengthen democratic institutions, provide greater administrative powers and address the political aspirations of the people. The Central Government has stated on several occasions that statehood would be restored at an “appropriate time,” though no specific timeline has been announced.

Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has indicated that her party is willing to participate in the protest if the agenda is expanded to include the restoration of Article 370 and other constitutional issues related to Jammu and Kashmir. With the demonstration approaching, political attention remains focused on the Delhi administration’s decision and whether the NC will receive approval to hold its planned Jantar Mantar protest.

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