India cracks down on Kashmir statehood protests in New Delhi
Heavy-handed response exposes Modi regime's intolerance of peaceful dissent
New Delhi: The Modi-led Indian government has launched a heavy-handed crackdown on peaceful protests demanding the restoration of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, as the National Conference (NC) intensified its campaign against New Delhi’s continued denial of the territory’s constitutional status.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the NC organized a protest in New Delhi coinciding with the opening of the Indian Parliament’s Monsoon Session, demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was revoked by the Modi government through its unilateral actions of August 5, 2019.
The authorities deployed heavy police contingents around Parliament and imposed stringent security measures, including restrictions on public gatherings under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Barricades were erected and access to key areas in the capital was tightly controlled in an apparent attempt to discourage public participation in the demonstrations.
National Conference leaders and workers participated in the protest. The demonstration was led by NC leader and MLA Hasnain Masoodi. Party chief Farooq Abdullah had invited leaders from across party lines to join the protest.
Speaking to the media, Masoodi said the continued delay in restoring statehood was harming interest. “The promise regarding the restoration of Kashmir’s statehood was made on the floor of Parliament, before the Supreme Court. Yet, for a year and a half, no action has been taken. We exercised patience for a year. We have come here now to address this and the prevailing uncertainty; such uncertainty is not in the interest of the nation or its people,” he said.
NC leaders said the protest was intended to remind New Delhi of its assurance given during the 2024 elections.
Restoration of full statehood has been a persistent demand of the National Conference since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Political observers said the large-scale deployment of forces and restrictions on peaceful assembly reflected New Delhi’s growing intolerance towards democratic dissent. They said the continued denial of statehood has become a major political issue and symbolizes the erosion of democratic rights in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. They warned that suppressing peaceful voices instead of addressing genuine political grievances would further deepen public alienation and damage India’s democratic credentials internationally.
Meanwhile, a separate protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar also witnessed heavy restrictions. Thousands of supporters gathered despite police barricades and prohibitory orders, while climate activist Sonam Wangchuk continued his hunger strike in support of the rights of the people of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, further highlighting growing discontent with the Modi government’s policies.
