The Kashmir Dialogues
Jammu, July 28 (TKD):
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said he is hopeful that the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory will be addressed during the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Jammu, Omar said, “Let this Parliament session pass. We are hopeful that we will get something in this session. If we do not get anything, we will talk after that. I will not go for a strike as long as the Parliament is in session.”
The Chief Minister’s statement came amid the Jammu and Kashmir Congress announcing a three-week-long agitation under the ‘Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq’ campaign to intensify the demand for statehood restoration from August 1.
Congress to Launch Black Day and Hunger Strike
J&K Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra revealed that the party would begin an outreach campaign from August 1 to 5, engaging with traders, transporters, and the unorganized sector in Jammu and Srinagar.
On August 5, the day marking the abrogation of Article 370, Congress will observe a “black day” and stage dharnas in the twin capitals and all district headquarters. A chain hunger strike is also scheduled to begin on August 9 and continue till August 21, excluding Independence Day and Janmashtami.
Karra stated that the campaign has full backing from the Congress central leadership. “This is just the beginning of our struggle. We are intensifying our movement to press for the restoration of statehood to J&K,” he said.
Political Context
The National Conference (NC) and Congress had contested the last Assembly elections together, with NC securing 42 seats and Congress 6. While the NC currently heads the government with the support of five independent MLAs, the Congress has chosen to stay out until statehood is restored.
Omar Abdullah added that if no progress is seen during or outside Parliament before the session concludes on August 21–22, the government will review its next steps on the issue.
Next Course of Action
Karra further mentioned that on August 20, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Congress leaders will take a pledge to continue their campaign. The next phase of the movement will be announced on August 21 after the hunger strike concludes.
