SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday stated that his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not altered his party, the National Conference's (NC), plans to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the first day of Parliament's monsoon session. The protest aims to press for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Commitment to Statehood Restoration
“There is no change in our plan. We remain committed to fulfilling our promises to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Commitments have been made in the Supreme Court, Parliament, and at various public functions to restore statehood to J&K. To remind the Centre of these commitments, we will go to Delhi and put forward our views at Jantar Mantar,” the CM told reporters.
He said that during his meeting with the PM on June 11, various issues were discussed, including statehood for J&K.
Background of the Protest
On June 3, Omar had called a meeting of his party’s MLAs and MPs at Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar for a day-long strategy session. The meeting ended with a decision to protest in New Delhi on the opening day of Parliament’s monsoon session, demanding the restoration of J&K’s statehood.
J&K lost its statehood on August 5, 2019, when the Centre abrogated Article 370, revoked the region's special constitutional status, and bifurcated the former state into two Union territories: J&K and Ladakh. Since then, parties across Kashmir’s political spectrum, including NC and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), have repeatedly demanded the restoration of full statehood. The Centre has publicly committed to restoring statehood at an appropriate stage, but the timeline remains unclear.
Reservation Issue
On the issue of reservations in jobs and education, the CM said, “We have done everything that was required on our part.” He explained that the cabinet sub-committee met and prepared its report, which was subsequently approved by the cabinet. “As per procedure, the decision was forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor, who formally referred it to the central government. The Centre sought certain clarifications on the proposal. So, the file was returned to us. The department concerned has prepared responses to all the queries raised. Those responses were finalized a couple of days ago,” Omar said.
He said that since the original decision was taken by his cabinet, another cabinet meeting will be convened to approve the replies. “Once approved, the responses will be sent back to the Government of India for consideration,” Omar added.
Reservation is a highly sensitive issue in J&K, where the quota is as high as 60%. It has become a hot-button issue following the Centre’s decision to add more communities and expand quotas since the 2019 abrogation of special status. Many fear that the quotas will be hiked to 70%.
Omar’s own party colleague and MP from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, had described it as discriminatory against general category students and candidates.
Following protests by students outside Omar’s residence in 2024, the J&K government had constituted a sub-committee panel under Health Minister Sakina Itoo.
