National Conference Protests in Srinagar, Demands Restoration of Article 370 and J&K’s Special Status
Srinagar: Leaders and workers of the ruling National Conference (NC) staged a peaceful protest in Srinagar on Wednesday, marking the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, and reiterated their demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The protest was led by Education and Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo, with several NC leaders, MLAs and party workers gathering at the party headquarters, Nawa-i-Subah, in Srinagar.
Peaceful Protest Held
The protesters carried placards supporting Article 370 and the restoration of the special status that Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed before the constitutional changes of 5 August 2019.
The group attempted to take out a march from the party headquarters but was stopped by police outside the office complex.
The demonstration remained peaceful.
Sakina Itoo Reiterates Party’s Demand
Speaking to reporters, Sakina Itoo said the National Conference would continue its peaceful campaign for the restoration of what the party describes as the constitutional rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We demand that our special status and rights, which were taken away from us, be restored. Our party has been protesting peacefully for the restoration of our rights since then,” she said.
She added that the party wants the constitutional guarantees previously available to Jammu and Kashmir to be restored.
Refers to Assembly and Cabinet Resolutions
Itoo said the National Conference government had already taken legislative steps to press its demand.
According to her, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed a resolution with a two-thirds majority, and the Cabinet also adopted a resolution that has been forwarded to the Union Government.
“We also passed a resolution in the Assembly with a two-thirds majority, and another resolution in the Cabinet which has been sent to the Union Government so that the voice of the people reaches them and those rights, which were taken away, are restored,” she said.
Background
On 5 August 2019, the Union Government abrogated Article 370, which had granted special constitutional status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and reorganised it into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The constitutional changes continue to be a major political issue in the region.
The National Conference has consistently sought the restoration of the pre-2019 constitutional position through democratic and constitutional means, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) maintains that the 2019 decision strengthened national integration, improved governance and accelerated development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Suggested Graphics
Graphic 1: Protest Highlights
- 📍 Location: Nawa-i-Subah, Srinagar
- 🗓️ Occasion: Seventh anniversary of Article 370 abrogation
- 👥 Organised by: National Conference
- 🪧 Demand: Restoration of Article 370 and J&K’s special status
- 🚓 Outcome: Protest march stopped by police
Graphic 2: NC’s Main Demands
| Demand | Description |
|---|---|
| 📜 Restore Article 370 | Reinstatement of constitutional provisions |
| 🏛️ Restore Special Status | Return of pre-2019 constitutional position |
| ⚖️ Constitutional Rights | Restoration of rights and guarantees |
| 🕊️ Democratic Process | Continue peaceful and constitutional campaign |
