National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday (July 24, 2026) demanded that the Centre should introduce and pass a bill on restoration of the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir during the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament.

“The Centre should honour its repeated commitments on Statehood. It should introduce and pass the Statehood restoration bill during the ongoing session. People of J&K have waited long enough. The restoration of Statehood is not merely a political demand but a constitutional and democratic imperative,” said Mr. Abdullah.

Mr. Abdullah, who served as Chief Minister of J&K three times, said, “The Parliament must seize this opportunity to fulfil the government’s solemn assurances given repeatedly to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and restore their democratic rights and dignity without any further delay.”

Mr. Abdullah’s appeal comes days after he led a protest of his party leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and legislators at Jantar Mantar in Delhi over Statehood and constitutional guarantees.  

Meanwhile, Mr. Abdullah commended the Omar Abdullah-led government for its “prompt, compassionate and hands-on” response in tackling the challenges arising out of the recent inclement weather in the Union Territory.