A political divide has emerged in Jammu and Kashmir over the strategy to restore full statehood, with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) deciding not to participate in a protest planned by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the National Conference (NC) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The decision has highlighted differing political approaches among regional parties despite their shared demand for the restoration of statehood.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti announced that her party would not be joining the demonstration, arguing that symbolic protests alone would not help achieve the objective of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status. Instead, she emphasized the need for a broader and more inclusive political strategy involving all stakeholders.

The planned protest comes at a time when political parties in Jammu and Kashmir continue to press the Union Government to fulfill its repeated assurances regarding the restoration of statehood. The issue has remained one of the most significant political demands in the Union Territory since the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.

PDP Questions Effectiveness of Protest

Explaining the party’s decision, Mehbooba Mufti said that while the demand for statehood is legitimate and enjoys widespread public support, political leaders must adopt a united and meaningful approach rather than limiting the campaign to demonstrations.

According to the PDP, restoring democratic rights and rebuilding political trust require dialogue, consensus-building, and coordinated efforts involving all regional political forces. The party believes that isolated political events are unlikely to create sufficient momentum for resolving the issue.

Mufti also stressed that the restoration of statehood should not become a matter of political competition between parties but should instead remain a collective objective pursued in the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. 

National Conference Continues with Protest Plans

The National Conference, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has maintained that the proposed protest is intended to draw national attention to the long-pending demand for restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

The demonstration at Jantar Mantar is expected to bring together National Conference leaders and supporters who intend to highlight their demand before the central leadership and seek early action on the issue.

NC leaders have consistently maintained that statehood is essential for strengthening democratic governance, improving administrative accountability, and addressing public concerns more effectively.

Statehood Remains a Major Political Issue

Since Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized into two Union Territories in 2019, the restoration of statehood has remained a central political issue across the region. Several regional parties have repeatedly urged the Union Government to implement its commitment to restore statehood at an appropriate time.

Political leaders argue that statehood would provide greater administrative autonomy and strengthen democratic institutions by allowing an elected government to function with wider constitutional powers.

While there is broad agreement among regional political parties on the need to restore statehood, differences continue to emerge over the methods and political strategies required to achieve that goal.

Calls for Political Unity

The PDP has urged all political parties to avoid partisan approaches and instead build a united platform capable of presenting a common demand before the Centre. Party leaders believe that cooperation among regional stakeholders would carry greater political weight than separate campaigns.

Observers note that the latest disagreement reflects the competitive political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, where parties often share common objectives but differ significantly on the path to achieving them.

Despite the differing approaches, both the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party continue to advocate for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, ensuring that the issue remains at the forefront of the region’s political discourse.

As discussions over constitutional and political rights continue, the demand for statehood is expected to remain one of the defining issues shaping Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape in the months ahead.