NC Invites 52 Leaders for Jantar Mantar Protest Demanding J&K Statehood

The National Conference (NC) has launched a nationwide outreach campaign, inviting 52 political and religious leaders to join its proposed Jantar Mantar protest during the Monsoon Session of Parliament , demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir .

The invitation, signed by NC president Farooq Abdullah , has been sent to senior Congress leaders, regional party chiefs, and political and religious figures from Jammu and Kashmir, including Mehbooba Mufti, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Sajjad Lone, Altaf Bukhari, Sat Paul Sharma , Mirwaiz Umar Farooq , and Grand Mufti Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam .

In his letter, Abdullah said the protest would be a peaceful, democratic, and constitutional demonstration against the continued delay in restoring statehood following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019 , when the erstwhile state was reorganised into two Union Territories. He noted that Parliament had assured statehood would be restored "at an appropriate time" but argued that no timeline has been provided despite the 2024 Assembly elections and the formation of an elected government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah .

Framing the issue as one of constitutional federalism rather than a regional demand, Abdullah said the prolonged Union Territory status raises broader concerns about Centre-State relations and the constitutional balance between the Union and the states. He argued that states are fundamental democratic units under the Constitution and that withholding statehood undermines representative governance and the federal structure.

Calling for support across political and ideological lines, Abdullah said restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is essential to protecting federalism, democratic accountability, and parliamentary commitments . The NC hopes the protest will build wider national backing for its demand and renew pressure on the Centre to fulfil its assurance on statehood.