Srinagar, July 7, 2026
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday interacted with civil society members in Srinagar ahead of the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference’s proposed statehood restoration protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20.
Chief Minister Abdullah chaired an interactive meeting at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar bringing together prominent members of civil society, intellectuals, religious leaders and other public representatives from across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting focused on the issue of the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and sought suggestions from stakeholders on strengthening the campaign.
The Chief Minister told the participants that the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference will hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the opening day of the upcoming Parliament session to press for the restoration of statehood.
He also said that he would personally write to stakeholders across Jammu and Kashmir, inviting them to join the campaign and contribute their suggestions to build a broader consensus on the demand for the restoration of statehood.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference dissident and Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar-Budgam constituency, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, has said he would join the Jantar Mantar protest, but his primary demand would be restoration of Article 370 to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has also invited parties outside the NDA to join the protest at Jantar Mantar.
Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has said that she would join the protests.
Apni Party President, Syed Altaf Bukhari, has called the protest “another political gimmick by the National Conference after having failed in fulfilling the people’s aspirations for which the party got such a massive mandate during the 2024 Assembly elections”.
Asked about the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference calling Apni Party the local face of the BJP, Altaf Bukhari said, “Apni Party is the alternative to the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir and not the local face of the BJP.”
He also added that the protest could be held in Srinagar and he failed to understand why had the same to be held in New Delhi.
“Will the Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) leave the Parliament and come to Jantar Mantar to speak to the protesters?” Bukhari asked.(Agency)
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