Srinagar/Jammu, March 9, 2026 : The Indian National Congress unit in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday staged protests against the BJP-led Central government over the Indo-US trade deal, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.
In Srinagar, scores of Congress leaders and workers gathered at the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee office on M.A. Road, raising slogans against the Central government. The protest was led by Nizamuddin Bhat, MLA from Bandipora.
The protesters had planned to march from the party office towards M.A. Road, but police personnel deployed at the site stopped them and sealed the office gate, preventing them from moving outside.
Speaking to reporters, Nizamuddin Bhat alleged that the trade agreement with the United States had compromised the country’s sovereignty and could have far-reaching economic consequences.
He claimed the country was facing a difficult economic situation and said the deal could adversely impact the economic base of the nation and the common people.
Meanwhile, in Jammu, Congress leaders and workers gathered outside the party headquarters at Shaheedi Chowk along Residency Road. Police deployed in large numbers prevented the demonstrators from marching further to maintain law and order.
Protesters, including women activists, carried placards reading “Restore Statehood” and “Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq”, while raising slogans against the Central government and the Indo-US trade deal.
Launching a sharp attack on the Centre, Tariq Ahmed Karra, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, alleged that the government had weakened institutions that once defined India’s foreign policy.
He also criticised the government’s foreign policy decisions and reiterated the party’s demand that statehood be restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
During the demonstrations, some protesters also burned flags of the United States and Israel as a mark of protest.
Tariq Ahmed Karra said the party had planned protests across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir during the ongoing Parliament of India Budget session, but alleged that police in some parts of the Kashmir Valley did not allow peaceful demonstrations.
He further claimed that Congress workers in several districts were either detained or placed under house arrest, terming it a restriction on democratic rights.
Reiterating the party’s stand, Karra said the demand for restoration of statehood remains firm and asserted that the party would continue its struggle until it is achieved.
The Congress leader also criticised the Centre over rising prices, including the hike in LPG, claiming that the increases would add further burden on millions of citizens.
