NC to Hold Rallies in J&K, Plan Sit-in at Delhi for Statehood Push

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) is preparing to hold public rallies in Srinagar and Jammu on July 11 and 12, respectively. These gatherings mark the party's first major show of strength since returning to power in 2024.

The mobilisation comes amid growing criticism from opposition parties and public discontent over the NC's perceived failure to deliver on key election promises, particularly the restoration of statehood and special status for Jammu and Kashmir.

The rallies are seen as a precursor to a proposed sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The NC aims to renew its campaign for the restoration of J&K's statehood, which was revoked in August 2019 when the region was reorganised into two union territories.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and party president Farooq Abdullah are expected to lead the rallies, which are intended to demonstrate popular support for the statehood demand. The party has called on supporters to participate in large numbers.

The NC's push for statehood comes at a time when the central government has not yet indicated a timeline for restoration. The party's leaders have argued that the people of J&K were promised statehood by the central government and that the delay is causing frustration.

Observers note that the NC's strategy is to keep the statehood issue alive ahead of the parliamentary session, where the party hopes to corner the government on the matter. The sit-in at Jantar Mantar is a traditional form of protest in India, often used to draw attention to political demands.

The opposition parties in J&K have criticised the NC for not doing enough to pressure the central government, while the ruling party at the centre maintains that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time. The NC's rallies are likely to reignite the debate over the region's constitutional status.