Jammu and Kashmir Statehood Restoration Issue Back in Focus; Protest Driven from Delhi

Srinagar: The National Conference (NC) has organized a protest at Jantar Mantar on the opening day of the Parliament’s monsoon session. This protest is being held to demand the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The National Conference has written letters to 52 parties across the country, including religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, inviting them to participate in this protest.

NC President Farooq Abdullah has called upon political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as leaders from across the country, to participate in the peaceful, democratic protest at Jantar Mantar on the first day of the Parliament’s monsoon session.

“This is not an issue limited to one party, region, or community. It is about protecting the federal spirit of India, upholding the Constitution, and demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, as has been repeatedly promised,” Farooq Abdullah stated.

In his letter, the NC President noted that following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019, the Central Government had repeatedly assured Parliament that statehood would be restored.

He added that despite the successful conduct of assembly elections in 2024 and the formation of an elected government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the promise to restore statehood remains unfulfilled.

What is the Jammu and Kashmir Statehood Restoration Issue?

While defending the abrogation of Article 370, the Center had informed the Supreme Court that Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a Union Territory was temporary and that its statehood would be restored at an appropriate time. The Central Government stated a few months ago that it remains committed to this process and that a decision on restoring statehood would be announced soon.

On August 5, 2019, the Central Government abrogated Article 370. Furthermore, under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the Center bifurcated the state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. Six to seven years have passed since then, leading to growing demands for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.