Srinagar, July 17, 2026 : Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone on Friday sharply criticised the National Conference’s (NC) proposed protest on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, alleging that the campaign is an attempt to sideline the core issues of Article 370 and Article 35A while shifting the focus solely to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Lone questioned the intent behind the protest and claimed that the initiative appeared to be more about creating political confusion than genuinely pursuing the restoration of statehood.
“I cannot be certain of the National Conference’s true motive, but it seems that this is less a genuine campaign for statehood and more an exercise aimed at burying Articles 370 and 35A for good, leaving statehood as a secondary and diminished consolation prize,” he said.
Lone proposed what he described as a more appropriate constitutional and political approach to the issue. He said the Omar Abdullah-led Government should convene an emergency session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and pass a formal resolution seeking restoration of statehood.
According to him, such a resolution should then be followed by an all-party delegation meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to press for the demand collectively. If statehood is still not restored, he said, other democratic options could then be explored.
Reiterating his party’s long-standing position, the Handwara MLA said the pre-August 5, 2019 constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir, restoration of Article 370, Article 35A, and full statehood continue to remain the core political objectives of the Peoples Conference.
Lone asserted that Article 370 remains the most significant issue, describing it as more important than the question of statehood.
He also argued that major political decisions affecting Jammu and Kashmir should emerge through broad political consensus rather than unilateral calls for public protests.
Referring to the events preceding the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Lone criticised the National Conference leadership, alleging that senior leaders had travelled to New Delhi without consulting other political parties.
He claimed that assurances were given at the time that no constitutional changes would take place, but within 48 hours Article 370 was revoked, making the need for collective political action even more important.
The remarks come ahead of the National Conference’s planned protest demanding restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, adding another dimension to the ongoing political debate over the Union Territory’s constitutional and political future.
