People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday announced that the party will hold peaceful protests across Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, demanding the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A, along with a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. The announcement was made at the PDP headquarters in Srinagar during the party's 27th foundation day programme. Addressing party workers and leaders, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister called for district-level demonstrations, emphasising that the protests would be peaceful.

"All our people, who are sitting here, will hold peaceful protests in their districts on 5 August for the restoration of Article 370, 35A, and the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue," Mehbooba Mufti said while addressing the gathering. The proposed protests coincide with the anniversary of August 5, 2019, when the Centre revoked the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370 and reorganising the region into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The move also rendered Article 35A inoperative. The PDP has consistently opposed the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status and has repeatedly called for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. The party has also advocated political dialogue as a means of addressing issues concerning the region. Article 370 had granted Jammu and Kashmir special autonomy under the Constitution, while Article 35A empowered the former state legislature to define permanent residents and provide them with special rights relating to land ownership, government employment and other benefits.

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Since the constitutional changes in 2019, the PDP and several other regional political parties have continued to raise the issue through public statements, political campaigns and legal challenges. The party has maintained that restoring the constitutional provisions is essential for protecting the identity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Mufti urged party workers to organise peaceful demonstrations at district headquarters across the Union Territory on August 5.

She reiterated the party's demand for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue through dialogue and democratic means. The announcement comes as political activity in Jammu and Kashmir continues to intensify, with regional parties outlining their positions on constitutional, political and governance-related issues. Authorities are expected to monitor the planned demonstrations, while the PDP has said its protests will remain peaceful and conducted within the framework of law.

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