Overview
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the National Conference will travel to New Delhi on July 19 and press ahead with a protest programme on July 20 even if Delhi Police does not grant permission for Jantar Mantar.
- The party has not received formal clearance from Delhi Police for a Jantar Mantar sit-in and says it has alternate venues and modes ready in case permission is denied.
- Key regional actors have split on the plan: the J&K Peoples Conference and the Apni Party have declined to join while the J&K Congress will participate and the PDP has not decided.
- The BJP has organised Union Territory-wide counter-protests for July 20, including a Secretariat gherao in Srinagar, framing the day as a protest against the NC government’s governance and job policies.
- The sit-in builds on a post‑2019 campaign to restore statehood after Article 370 was revoked and could force a national political test over how the Centre responds and how local parties align ahead of future policy and governance battles.