By Tehelka Web Desk
More than 150 representatives from different sections of civil society in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to restore full statehood to the Union Territory without any further delay.
The resolution was adopted at a meeting convened by National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the party’s vice-president, attended the meeting along with representatives of trade bodies, business organisations, religious groups, professional associations, lawyers, academicians and other members of civil society.
The meeting focused exclusively on the issue of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, with participants discussing its political and constitutional significance and ways to strengthen public support for the demand.
In a statement posted on X, the National Conference said the meeting unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the Centre to fulfil its commitment.
“More than 150 representatives from various sections of J&K’s civil society convened today, 7 July 2026, at SKICC, Srinagar, in a meeting presided over by JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President and Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The gathering unanimously adopted a resolution calling upon the Centre to restore full statehood to J&K without any further delay,” the party said.
The NC said the resolution reflected the collective voice of civil society and reaffirmed the broader public demand for the immediate restoration of J&K’s statehood.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the meeting as productive and thanked those who attended.
“Thankful to all the representatives of civil society of Kashmir who accepted the invitation. The meeting was extremely productive and Farooq Sahab was able to get a lot of useful feedback and good suggestions. The meeting passed a unanimous resolution calling on the Union government to fulfil its promise and restore full statehood to J&K without further delay,” CM Omar said in a post on X.
According to sources, several participants suggested that civil society should remain actively involved in the campaign for statehood, while others proposed that political parties across ideological lines should unite on the issue.
The meeting is being viewed as the first major gathering of civil society since the reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 to formally adopt a unanimous resolution seeking restoration of statehood.
The Centre has repeatedly maintained that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time.
The Omar Abdullah-led government has already passed a Cabinet resolution seeking restoration of statehood, which has been submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The meeting is part of the National Conference’s wider campaign to build support for the restoration of statehood. The party has announced a series of programmes, beginning with conventions in Srinagar and Jammu on July 11, and plans to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, coinciding with the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The NC has said it will mobilise its legislators and Members of Parliament for the protest and submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood. The party also plans to invite leaders of the INDIA bloc and other political parties to join the demonstration.
The National Conference has maintained that restoring full statehood is essential for democratic governance, administrative accountability and protecting the constitutional rights and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
