3 weeks ago
Omar Abdullah Protests, Demands Statehood on Article 370 Anniversary
Jammu and Kashmir is a region in India.
It used to have a special rule that let it make its own laws.
In 2019, the Indian government took that special rule away and made it a Union Territory, which is run more directly by the central government.
Many people in Jammu and Kashmir were upset, and some leaders were kept in detention before the change.
On August 5, 2026, it was seven years since that happened.
The leader of the region's government, Omar Abdullah, said he has neither forgotten the change nor accepted it, and he wants J&K to become a full state again.
Other leaders also protested, in Srinagar and in Delhi.
The national government says it will give statehood back 'at the right time,' but it has not said when.
Some people, like the BJP, support the 2019 decision and say it brought positive changes.
On the seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 abrogation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he has neither 'forgotten' nor 'accepted' the move, quoted Robert Frost, and held his first protest in Delhi for statehood.
The Centre has repeatedly promised to restore J&K's statehood at an 'appropriate time' but has never committed to a timeline.
NC MPs demonstrated outside Parliament and were joined by INDIA bloc allies including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said the 'dark night' that began on August 4, 2019 continues, while People's Conference chairman Sajad Lone called the move a 'brutal coup.'
The BJP celebrated August 5 as 'National Integration Day' in Jammu, citing 'positive changes' in the Union Territory since 2019.
- Who
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir parties (National Conference, PDP, People's Conference) with INDIA bloc allies, opposed by the BJP, which marked the day in Jammu.
- What
- Protests and statements marking the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and J&K's special status, with renewed demands for restoration of statehood.
- Where
- Srinagar, Delhi (outside Parliament), and Jammu.
- When
- Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
- Why
- To mark the anniversary of the Centre's August 5, 2019 move and press the demand for restoring J&K's statehood and constitutional guarantees.
Pro-statehood camp (J&K parties and allies)
Central government / BJP
The August 5, 2019 move
Pro-statehood camp (J&K parties and allies)
Valley parties say it stripped J&K of its rights and identity; Sajad Lone called it a 'brutal coup' and Mehbooba Mufti said a 'dark night' continues.
Central government / BJP
The BJP celebrated August 5 as 'National Integration Day,' citing infrastructure development, governance and 'stronger democratic institutions.'
Restoration of statehood
Pro-statehood camp (J&K parties and allies)
Omar Abdullah's government demands immediate restoration of statehood and hardened its stance after quiet engagement produced little.
Central government / BJP
The Centre says statehood will be restored at an 'appropriate time' but will not disclose when.
Restoration of Article 370
Pro-statehood camp (J&K parties and allies)
The NC promised to strive for restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and statehood as they existed before August 5, 2019; Abdullah says he remains committed to reversing all that was done.
Central government / BJP
The Centre maintains J&K's UT status is temporary and says it is 'progressively proceeding' toward statehood, but has not committed to restoring Article 370.
Key facts
- Event
- Seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and J&K's special status
- Date
- August 5, 2026
- Original decision
- Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act passed August 5, 2019
- Status of Jammu and Kashmir
- Union Territory
- Key actor
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (National Conference)
- Demand
- Restoration of statehood; some parties also seek restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A
- Centre's position
- Statehood to be restored at an 'appropriate time'; no timeline given
- Divergent observances
- Protests in Srinagar and Delhi; BJP's 'National Integration Day' in Jammu
Quotes
Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and leader of the National Conference
“"I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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