Srinagar: On the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, the Congress, PDP, and National Conference marked August 5 as a ‘Black Day’ in Jammu and Kashmir, staging protests across the region and demanding the restoration of statehood and constitutional rights.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) held a peaceful dharna at Tawi Bridge in Jammu, where party workers raised slogans and held placards opposing the 2019 move. Protests were also reported from Ramban, with Congress reiterating its demand for full statehood.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, speaking in Srinagar, said August 5 was not only a dark day for Jammu and Kashmir but for the entire country. She accused the central government of “unconstitutionally” revoking Article 370 using its brute majority, warning that similar tactics are now being used elsewhere in India. She alleged voter manipulation through surveys and the inclusion of non-resident voters, particularly in Bihar and Tamil Nadu, claiming Jammu and Kashmir had been turned into a “laboratory” for democratic erosion.
“Our party workers were barred from protesting today. There’s no breathing space. What happened to us in 2019 is now happening across the country,” she said.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti also alleged curbs on her movement. “Nothing has changed. Six years ago, we were placed under house arrest and mass detentions took place. Today, I am in a similar situation. I’m standing in front of the PDP headquarters, not being allowed to step out or protest peacefully,” she said.
She was reportedly stopped from leaving the party office to mark the anniversary of what the PDP continues to call the “unconstitutional” move. “The continued denial of democratic rights in Jammu and Kashmir exposes the reality behind the claims of normalcy,” the party stated.
The National Conference (NC) also held protests across various districts, including Mendhar in Poonch, Udhampur, Budgam, and at its headquarters in Srinagar. Leaders and party workers raised slogans demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and constitutional guarantees under Articles 370 and 35-A.
“You can lock our offices and confine our leaders, but you cannot imprison an idea,” said NC leader and Hon’ble MLA Salman Ali Sagar. “The people of J&K deserve dignity, democracy, and their rights. We live in a country known for democracy — that must reflect in Kashmir too.”
The NC’s youth and main units held a massive demonstration in Jammu under the banner of HumaraHakWapiseKro (Give Us Back Our Rights), demanding the return of statehood and constitutional recognition.
Senior NC leader Farooq Abdullah also questioned the government’s intent. “When are they going to return the statehood? What has the BJP done in six years to make J&K better? I am certain they will have to restore it — there’s no other way,” he said.
