He will recall the pledge of the Center of Statehood at Jantar Mantar: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with UT Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary in Srinagar on June 15, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday (Jun 15, 2026) said lawmakers of the ruling National Conference (NC) will go ahead with their plan to hold the first day of the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament and “push for statehood” at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

“At the start of the monsoon session, we will remind the Center of the promise made to the people of J&K regarding statehood. We will convey our message to the nation at Jantar Mantar,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Referring to his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Mr. Abdullah said, “I discussed (restoration of) statehood with Prime Minister Modi besides J&K’s financial position and development priorities.”

He said the NC government would continue to push for statehood “by all democratic and constitutional means”.

On the current reservation policy that has irked general category aspirants in J&K, Mr. Abdullah said the Center has sought clarification on the reservation report prepared by the J&K Cabinet sub-committee and forwarded to J&K Governor Manoj Sinha.

“The concerned department has prepared replies to all the clarifications sought by the Centre. The reply has been prepared for the last two to three days,” Mr Abdullah said, adding that the Cabinet would soon meet to approve it. “It will be sent back to the center,” he added.

Mr. Abdullah’s reply came after a press conference organized by general category students in Budgam. “The reservation file has more offices than resolutions. Students are still waiting. We are suffering,” said student leader Sahil Parray, who advocates “rationalization” of reservation quota in J&K.

During the central government in J&K, a new reservation policy was made which increased the quota for Scheduled Tribes to 20% by including Paharis and increased the OBC quota to 8%. Currently, the quota for reserved category in J&K has increased to 60%-70%, leaving less than 30%-40% seats in educational institutions and government jobs in the open category.

Published – 15 June 2026 11:00 PM IST