Authorities in Srinagar, on July 19, 2025, prevented a Congress march demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir by deploying heavy security outside the party headquarters. The Congress party has vowed to take their fight for statehood to Delhi, with plans to "symbolically gherao" the Parliament during the monsoon session.
The Congress supporters gathered at the party office in Srinagar with plans to march towards the office of the divisional commissioner to submit a memorandum. However, police personnel closed the main gate of the party office, preventing the march. Several party leaders, including elected representatives, were allegedly detained while traveling from different districts to attend the rally.
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra condemned the police action, calling it a "heavy-handed and undemocratic use of police power". He stated that the police blocked their peaceful march and locked them inside the office, preventing them from demanding the restoration of statehood, "a constitutional right taken away without the consent of the people". Karra added that many party leaders and workers were stopped from reaching the Congress office, which he called an undemocratic act that "reeks of their frustration".
Despite the restrictions, Congress supporters raised slogans such as "Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq" (Our State, Our Right), "Hamari Pehchan, Hamara Haq" (Our Identity, Our Right), and "Hamara Pani, Hamara Haq" (Our Water, Our Right). Karra announced that the party would be intensifying its campaign for the restoration of statehood, with a "Delhi Chalo" (Let's go to Delhi) program planned for July 21.
Under the "Delhi Chalo" campaign, workers from every block and district of Jammu and Kashmir will travel to Delhi to raise the issue with members of Parliament, including the 233 members of the INDIA bloc who support their cause. The party plans to hold protests in front of Parliament and symbolically gherao it to ensure their voice is heard. The monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on July 21.
The Congress's move to intensify its campaign for statehood comes after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi jointly wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to bring legislation in the upcoming session for the restoration of statehood. The letter reminded Modi of his government's commitment to restore statehood at an appropriate time, as well as assurances made before the Supreme Court that statehood would be reinstated "at the earliest".
Farooq Abdullah, president of the National Conference (NC), has also backed the Congress's call for the restoration of statehood, asserting that it is the rightful entitlement of the people and not a favor. He disclosed that a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders would be held to discuss the statehood issue.
The planned protest in Delhi is described as a symbolic event, with national leaders joining hands with grassroots workers from J&K. Security agencies have reportedly begun collecting details of leaders and workers planning to travel to Delhi for the protest. The Congress party is determined to continue its struggle for statehood, vowing to raise the issue both inside and outside Parliament.
