National Conference to Rally INDIA Bloc at Jantar Mantar for J&K Statehood Demand

Stepping up its campaign for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir , the National Conference (NC) has decided to invite all constituents of the INDIA bloc , along with several other political parties, to participate in a major protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament .

The decision was finalised during a meeting of senior National Conference leaders chaired by party president Farooq Abdullah at his Gupkar residence in Srinagar. The meeting focused on reviewing and finalising preparations for the proposed demonstration, which is expected to take place on the opening day of the Monsoon session, likely to begin on July 20 .

According to the party, the protest aims to build a united political campaign demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, a long standing demand that has remained at the centre of the National Conference's political agenda since the erstwhile state was reorganised into two Union Territories in 2019.

An NC spokesperson said the party has resolved to formally invite all constituent parties of the INDIA bloc to join the demonstration. Besides its opposition allies, invitations will also be extended to political parties in Jammu and Kashmir and to leaders of parties that are neither part of the INDIA alliance nor aligned with the NDA.

In a significant outreach effort, Farooq Abdullah will personally write to the leaders of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, seeking their participation in what the NC hopes will become a broad based movement for restoring the region's statehood.

The plan for the protest was initially approved last month during a meeting of National Conference MLAs and Independent legislators supporting the Omar Abdullah government. With Parliament set to convene later this month, the party is now accelerating preparations to ensure the issue of Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional status receives national political attention.

The National Conference believes that a united opposition presence at Jantar Mantar will strengthen its demand and send a strong message to the Centre on restoring democratic and constitutional rights to Jammu and Kashmir.