National Conference Protests BJP Over Jammu and Kashmir Statehood

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference organized peaceful protests and a gherao of Bharatiya Janata Party offices in Srinagar and Jammu on September 2, 2026. Led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the ruling party demanded that the Union Government fulfill commitments made in Parliament and before the Supreme Court of India to restore statehood to the union territory.

NC demonstrators marched toward the BJP headquarters in Srinagar, calling for constitutional guarantees, the clearance of the reservation file, and justice for the local population. The party asserted that the mandate of the people is not a "blank cheque" and must be respected through democratic means.

Simultaneously, the BJP conducted counter-protests in Srinagar targeting the Abdullah-led government over electricity price hikes and youth unemployment. BJP leaders characterized the NC's actions as poorly timed and accused the government of selling thousands of jobs to contractors. Heavy security was deployed to prevent clashes between the opposing groups. The NC alleged that police obstructed their peaceful march and mishandled elected representatives while allowing BJP supporters to march toward the Secretariat.