Omar Abdullah Announces ‘New Phase’ of Statehood Campaign, NC to Hold Protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20
Jammu: A day after accusing the BJP of attempting to topple his government, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday announced that the ruling National Conference (NC) would launch a “new phase” in its campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, beginning with a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20.
Addressing a public gathering at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in Jammu his first major rally in the BJP’s stronghold since assuming office Abdullah said the Centre had been given ample time to fulfil its promise of restoring statehood.
“We pursued the restoration of statehood for nearly two years, giving enough time to the Central government to fulfil its promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Now, we will adopt a new method. From July 20 onwards, we will raise our voice through a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi,” he said.
The protest, scheduled on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, will be the first major agitation led by the National Conference against the Centre since the party formed the government in the Union Territory following the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
Omar Targets BJP Over Statehood Delay
Stepping up his attack on the BJP, Abdullah questioned the repeated delays in restoring statehood despite assurances from the Centre.
“Let the BJP tell us whether we should go to US President Donald Trump for statehood and stage a protest outside the White House,” he remarked sarcastically.
“Until then, we will continue to hold demonstrations and knock on the doors of our own national capital to seek the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood,” he added.
His remarks came a day after the National Conference held a workers’ convention in the Hazratbal area, where party leaders reiterated their demand for the restoration of full statehood.
Political Significance
The announcement comes amid escalating political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, with Omar Abdullah recently alleging that the BJP was attempting to destabilise his government by trying to lure National Conference MLAs—an allegation the BJP has strongly denied.
Political observers believe the planned protests are aimed at increasing pressure on the Centre while also responding to criticism from opposition parties. According to former Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission member K.B. Jandial and former Jammu University History Department head Prof. Hari Om, the NC’s decision to launch rallies and demonstrations is as much a response to opposition attacks over unemployment and development as it is an effort to revive the statehood demand.
The July 20 protest is expected to mark a significant escalation in the National Conference’s political campaign, signalling that the party intends to intensify its pressure on the Centre over the long-pending restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
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