The National Conference (NC) is gearing up for large‑scale rallies on July 11 and 12 in the twin capitals of Srinagar and Jammu, marking the party’s first major display of strength since regaining power in 2024.

Statehood and Special Status – The Core Promise

Central to NC’s platform is the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood and its special constitutional status, a promise made after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The party has struggled to deliver tangible progress on these pledges, providing ammunition for critics in both the opposition and its own ranks.

Symbolic Timing: Remembering Begum Akbar Jehan

Choosing the death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan, the revered wife of founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, adds a layer of historical resonance to the rallies. Known as the “Mother of Compassion,” she steered the party through turbulent times and remains a symbolic figure of resilience.

Internal Criticism and Public Discontent

Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has publicly accused the NC leadership of sidelining its core agenda, while voters in the Kashmir Valley, the party’s traditional bastion, express growing frustration over perceived failures to protect their political rights.

Concrete Steps: The Jantar Mantar Sit‑In

Following the rallies, NC has planned a sit‑in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20, coinciding with the opening of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The protest will invite leaders from non‑NDA parties, aiming to broaden political support for the statehood demand.

Objective and Implications

These rallies aim to project widespread public backing for the statehood issue and reinforce NC’s claim that the demand still enjoys significant support across Jammu & Kashmir. Success could force the central government to reconsider its stance, while failure might deepen internal divisions.