1 hr ago
NC and BJP Protests Escalate J&K Statehood, Governance Clash
The National Conference and the BJP held separate protests in Jammu and Kashmir.
The National Conference said the central government had not restored the region’s statehood as promised.
The BJP said the National Conference government was not solving people’s everyday problems.
These problems included jobs, electricity, roads, local elections and alleged corruption.
Both groups wanted to march to important government or party offices.
Police stopped the marches to prevent clashes, and NC workers were detained in Jammu.
The PDP said authorities treated different parties’ protests differently.
The protests showed that political disagreements in Jammu and Kashmir remain strong after Article 370 was removed in 2019.
The National Conference protested in Srinagar and Jammu, demanding restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
The BJP held a counterprotest in Srinagar, accusing the Omar Abdullah government of governance failures.
Police halted both Srinagar marches, while NC workers were detained after trying to cross barricades in Jammu.
The parties traded accusations over constitutional guarantees, local elections, recruitment, corruption and power tariffs.
The PDP accused authorities of applying protest restrictions selectively to different political parties.
- Who
- The National Conference, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Peoples Democratic Party and Jammu and Kashmir police were involved; leaders including Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Sunil Sharma and Mehbooba Mufti made statements.
- What
- The NC and BJP held rival protests, with the NC demanding restoration of statehood and the BJP criticizing the NC government’s performance.
- Where
- The protests took place in Srinagar, including Rajbagh and Lal Chowk, and in Jammu near Trikuta Nagar.
- When
- Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
- Why
- The NC protested the delay in restoring statehood and constitutional protections, while the BJP cited alleged failures involving jobs, local elections, corruption, public services and power tariffs.
National Conference and PDP position
BJP position
Restoration of statehood
National Conference and PDP position
The NC said the BJP-led central government had delayed a promised restoration of statehood and constitutional safeguards, including Articles 370 and 35A.
BJP position
The BJP said the NC was using statehood as a political slogan and challenged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to resign and seek a fresh mandate on the issue.
Governance and public problems
National Conference and PDP position
The NC said the central government had failed to fulfil commitments affecting Jammu and Kashmir’s political future, reservations and unemployed youth.
BJP position
The BJP accused the NC government of failing on recruitment, local body polls, corruption, electricity, water, roads, unemployment and power tariffs.
Handling of protests
National Conference and PDP position
The NC and PDP alleged that police restricted or mishandled their protests while facilitating the BJP’s demonstration.
BJP position
Authorities said security measures were intended to prevent confrontation between opposing groups and that no general restrictions had been imposed on public movement.
Key facts
- NC demand
- Restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s full statehood and constitutional protections.
- BJP allegations
- The NC government had failed to address recruitment, local body elections, corruption, unemployment, public services and power tariff increases.
- Srinagar NC location
- NC leaders and workers assembled near the Gindun Sports Complex in Rajbagh and sought to march toward the BJP headquarters in Jawahar Nagar.
- Srinagar BJP location
- BJP workers gathered near the Clock Tower in Lal Chowk and planned to march toward the Civil Secretariat.
- Police action
- Police halted both Srinagar processions; NC workers were detained in Jammu after attempting to cross barricades.
- PDP criticism
- Mehbooba Mufti and Waheed Para alleged that authorities imposed selective restrictions on political parties.
- Political context
- The protests were described as rare or the first major political unrest since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019.
Quotes
National Conference
Political party that organized protests in Srinagar and Jammu
“The JKNC's peaceful protest was stopped from moving forward. People were prevented from joining, and elected representatives were mishandled. Yet, when the BJP held a protest outside the Secretariat, it was allowed to proceed. What a shame!”
republicworld.com
rediff.com
“If you have any self-respect left, fight an election on it (statehood). Only then will we acknowledge it as your issue,”
rediff.com
Sources
Related news
BJP, National Conference Hold Rival Protests Across Srinagar Streets
Omar Abdullah Alleges Unequal Treatment of Srinagar Political Protests
BJP Protests NC Govt Over Unemployment, Price Hike in J&K
Congress, NC hold Black Day protests in Jammu, demand statehood
NC leaders protest Article 370 abrogation anniversary in Srinagar
Kashmir Observes 7th Anniversary of Article 370 Scrapping
India Live Updates: J&K Protests, Court Hearing, Delhi Incidents
