July 20 Protest Wave: NC Pushes for J-K Statehood, CJP Plans Parliament March Over Exam Irregularities

July 20 is set to witness two major protests as the National Conference (NC) prepares to march to Jantar Mantar demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood , while the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) plans a peaceful march to Parliament over alleged examination irregularities.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday renewed the NC government’s demand for restoring statehood, stating that the move is essential for effective governance, development and addressing public grievances. He announced that the party would hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, urging the Centre to fulfil the assurance made before the 2024 Assembly elections .

Speaking in Rajouri district’s Nowshera area, Choudhary said the party would appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to honour the commitment made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The deputy chief minister clarified that the demand was not aimed at providing political advantage to the Omar Abdullah-led government , but at enabling the elected administration to function more independently. He said the absence of statehood has created challenges in dealing with issues such as unemployment , recruitment of daily wagers and other administrative concerns.

Choudhary argued that Jammu and Kashmir continues to face the development needs of a full-fledged state while receiving resources under its Union Territory status , creating difficulties for meeting public expectations. He also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to fulfil its repeated promise of restoring statehood.

Meanwhile, the CJP , whose protest at Jantar Mantar has entered its 20th day , announced a peaceful Parliament march on July 20 along with educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk . The organisation has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and calling for a transparent and reliable examination system.

The CJP appealed to students, parents and citizens across the country to participate in the march, saying it aims to highlight the concerns of students affected by alleged failures in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG controversy .

Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 , urged people to join the protest, saying Parliament was the appropriate forum to raise the issue and seek a lasting solution.

The CJP also alleged that protesters faced difficulties during heavy rainfall at Jantar Mantar after the Delhi Police allegedly prevented them from bringing tarpaulins to protect students participating in the hunger strike. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke raised concerns over the conditions faced by protesters.

The student-led protest has received support from opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant and CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali , who visited the protest site and expressed solidarity with the demand for examination reforms.

Doctors treating Sonam Wangchuk said he had lost more than seven kilograms during his fast, while another protester, AISA activist Hrishikesh , was hospitalized after his health deteriorated.

With both the statehood demand in Jammu and Kashmir and the student movement over examination reforms moving towards major demonstrations, July 20 is likely to become a significant day of public mobilisation in the national capital.