Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Rival NC-BJP Protests Roil J&K as Police Halt Marches
The National Conference and the BJP held separate protests in Jammu and Kashmir.
The NC said the central government had delayed restoring the region’s statehood and constitutional protections.
The BJP said the NC government was not solving everyday problems for residents.
It mentioned jobs, electricity prices, corruption, roads, water and local elections.
Both parties wanted to march toward important offices.
Police stopped both marches in Srinagar and detained some NC workers in Jammu.
The NC and the Peoples Democratic Party said the police treated protests differently.
Officials said the security measures were meant to prevent the two groups from clashing.
The protests showed that political disagreements in Jammu and Kashmir remain strong.
The National Conference protested in Srinagar and Jammu, demanding restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional safeguards.
The BJP held a counterprotest in Srinagar, accusing the Omar Abdullah government of failing on jobs, local elections, corruption, public services and power tariffs.
Police halted both Srinagar marches, while NC workers were detained in Jammu after attempting to cross barricades.
The NC and PDP alleged authorities applied protest restrictions selectively, while officials said security measures were intended to prevent clashes.
The rival demonstrations were described as rare or the first major political unrest in J&K since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019.
- Who
- The National Conference, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, Jammu and Kashmir police and their leaders were involved, including Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Sunil Sharma, Sat Sharma and Mehbooba Mufti.
- What
- The NC and BJP held rival street protests, with the NC demanding statehood restoration and the BJP criticizing the NC government’s performance.
- When
- Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
- Where
- The protests took place in Srinagar at Rajbagh, Lal Chowk and nearby routes, and in Jammu near Trikuta Nagar.
- Why
- The NC protested the Centre’s delay in restoring statehood and constitutional safeguards, 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 Union government had delayed promised restoration of J&K’s statehood and constitutional protections, and demanded action on the region’s political future.
BJP position
The BJP said the NC was using statehood as a political slogan and challenged Omar Abdullah to resign and seek a fresh mandate on the issue.
Governance and public problems
National Conference and PDP position
The NC focused on commitments concerning statehood, constitutional safeguards, reservation rationalisation and issues affecting unemployed youth.
BJP position
The BJP accused the NC government of failing on recruitment, local body elections, corruption, unemployment, electricity, water, roads and power tariffs.
Handling of protests
National Conference and PDP position
The NC and PDP alleged that police restricted or mishandled their demonstrations while allowing the BJP greater freedom to assemble and march.
BJP position
Officials said security measures were intended to prevent confrontation between rival groups and maintained that no general restrictions had been imposed on public movement.
- NC demand
- Immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s full statehood and constitutional safeguards, including demands concerning Articles 370 and 35A.
- NC protest route
- NC leaders and workers assembled near the Gindun Sports Complex or Gindun Park in Rajbagh and sought to march toward the BJP headquarters in Jawahar Nagar.
- BJP protest route
- BJP workers assembled near the Clock Tower in Lal Chowk and planned to march toward the Civil Secretariat; police stopped the procession near Jahangir Chowk or Hari Singh High Street, according to different reports.
- BJP allegations
- The BJP cited unemployment, alleged unfair or backdoor recruitment, failure to hold local body elections, corruption, electricity problems and rising power tariffs.
- Police action
- Police deployed barricades and heavy security, halted both Srinagar processions and detained NC workers in Jammu after they tried to cross barricades.
- PDP criticism
- Mehbooba Mufti and Waheed Para accused authorities of applying protest restrictions selectively to different political parties.
- Political context
- The protests were described as rare or the first major political unrest in J&K since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019.
Sources
NC And BJP Lock Horns In Rare J&K Street Protests, Leaders Trade Accusations While Citizens Demand Accountability
Rival NC and BJP Protests Roil Srinagar as Police Halt Marches, Detain Activists
NC, BJP take out protests against each other in Srinagar