Omar Abdullah meets civil society ahead of J&K statehood protest at Jantar Mantar
Synopsis
Omar Abdullah is taking the J&K statehood fight to Parliament's doorstep — literally. The NC's Jantar Mantar protest on 20 July, the opening day of the session, is a calculated pressure move, but the coalition forming around it is already pulling in different directions, with one MP demanding Article 370 restoration and critics calling it a post-election distraction.
Key Takeaways
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met civil society members at SKICC, Srinagar on 7 July ahead of a statehood restoration protest.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) has planned a protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 20 July , timed to the opening of the Parliament session.
Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi will join the protest but has said his primary demand is restoration of Article 370 , not just statehood.
Former CM and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has confirmed she will participate in the demonstration.
Apni Party President Syed Altaf Bukhari called the protest a 'political gimmick' and questioned why it was not being held in Srinagar.
The Supreme Court directed statehood restoration 'as soon as possible' in its December 2023 verdict — nearly 19 months later, it remains pending.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday, 7 July convened a high-level meeting with civil society representatives in Srinagar, building momentum for the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC)'s planned statehood restoration protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on 20 July. The gathering signals a coordinated push to widen public support before the demonstration, which is timed to coincide with the opening day of the upcoming Parliament session.
What Happened at the SKICC Meeting
Abdullah chaired the interactive session at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, bringing together intellectuals, religious leaders, and public representatives from across the Union Territory. The meeting centred on the demand for restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, which was revoked when the region was bifurcated into two Union Territories in August 2019. Participants were invited to offer suggestions on strengthening the campaign's reach and messaging.
The Chief Minister said he would personally write to stakeholders across Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to join the protest and contribute to building a broader consensus. Notably, the NC has also extended invitations to non-NDA parties to participate in the Jantar Mantar demonstration.
Who Is Joining — and on What Terms
Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a Lok Sabha MP from the Srinagar-Budgam constituency and a National Conference dissident, confirmed he would attend the protest — but clarified that his primary demand would be the restoration of Article 370, not merely statehood. Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has also confirmed her participation, broadening the opposition front.
This is a significant distinction: while the NC's official campaign is focused on statehood restoration, at least one prominent participant is using the platform to push the more politically charged demand of Article 370's reinstatement — a demand the Centre has firmly rejected in the Supreme Court.
Critics Question the Strategy
Apni Party President Syed Altaf Bukhari dismissed the planned protest as '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.' Bukhari also questioned the choice of venue, arguing the protest could have been held in Srinagar itself. 'Will the Union Home Minister Amit Shah leave the Parliament and come to Jantar Mantar to speak to the protesters?' he asked pointedly.
Bukhari pushed back against the NC's characterisation of his party, saying: 'Apni Party is the alternative to the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir and not the local face of the BJP.'
Why the Timing Matters
Scheduling the protest on the opening day of the Parliament session is a deliberate tactical choice — it maximises media visibility and signals to lawmakers that the statehood question will not be quietly shelved. The Supreme Court, in its December 2023 verdict, had upheld the abrogation of Article 370 but directed the Centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir 'as soon as possible.' Nearly 19 months later, that restoration remains pending, giving the NC a constitutionally grounded grievance to campaign on.
With the Parliament session approaching and opposition parties rallying behind the demand, pressure on the Centre to announce a statehood timeline is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
Point of View
Rather than the narrower statehood demand, risks turning a legally grounded campaign into a more divisive political flashpoint. The Supreme Court has already ruled on 370; statehood is the winnable argument. Meanwhile, Bukhari's criticism reflects a real vulnerability: the NC won a strong mandate in 2024 partly on this very promise, and nearly a year into office, Abdullah is still protesting rather than governing the outcome. The Centre, for its part, has little electoral incentive to act before the next round of pressure builds — which is precisely why the Jantar Mantar timing exists.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jantar Mantar protest planned by the J&K National Conference?
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has announced a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on 20 July, coinciding with the opening day of the Parliament session, to press for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is leading the campaign and has invited non-NDA parties and civil society groups to participate.
Why is J&K statehood still not restored?
Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories in August 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated. The Supreme Court, in its December 2023 ruling, upheld the abrogation but directed the Centre to restore statehood 'as soon as possible.' As of July 2025, nearly 19 months after that verdict, the Centre has not announced a timeline for restoration.
Who else is joining the Jantar Mantar protest?
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has confirmed she will join the protest. Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, an NC dissident from Srinagar-Budgam, has also said he will participate, though his primary demand is the restoration of Article 370 rather than statehood alone.
What is Apni Party's position on the protest?
Apni Party President Syed Altaf Bukhari has called the protest a 'political gimmick,' arguing the NC failed to deliver on its 2024 election mandate. He questioned why the protest could not be held in Srinagar and challenged the NC's claim that his party is the 'local face of the BJP,' insisting Apni Party is an independent alternative.
What did Omar Abdullah say at the SKICC meeting?
Abdullah said the NC would hold the Jantar Mantar protest on the opening day of the Parliament session to highlight the statehood demand. He also said he would personally write to stakeholders across Jammu and Kashmir, inviting them to join the campaign and contribute suggestions for building broader consensus.
