Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, with the UT’s Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, in Srinagar, on June 15, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday (June 15, 2026) said ruling National Conference (NC) legislators would go ahead with their plan to hold a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the first day of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament and “press for Statehood”.
“At the beginning of the Monsoon Session, we will remind the Centre of the promise made to the people of J&K regarding Statehood. We will convey our message to the nation at Jantar Mantar,” said Mr. Abdullah.
Referring to his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Mr. Abdullah said, “I discussed the (restoration of) Statehood with PM Modi besides J&K’s financial position and developmental priorities.”
He said the NC government would continue pursuing Statehood “through all democratic and constitutional means”.
On the current reservation policy, which has irked general category aspirants in J&K, Mr. Abdullah said the Centre had sought clarifications on the reservation report prepared by the J&K Cabinet Sub-Committee and forwarded to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
“The department concerned has prepared replies to all the clarifications sought by the Centre. The response has been ready for the last two to three days,” said Mr. Abdullah, adding the Cabinet would meet shortly to approve it. “It will be sent back to the Centre,” he added.
Mr. Abdullah’s response came following a press conference organised by general-category students in Budgam. “The reservation file has seen more offices than resolutions. Students are still waiting. We are suffering,” said student leader Sahil Parray, who has been advocating “rationalisation” of reservation quota in J&K.
During the Central rule in J&K, a new reservation policy was framed, increasing the quota for Scheduled Tribes to 20% by including Paharis, and raising the OBC quota to 8%. At present, the quota for the reserved category in J&K has risen to 60%-70%, leaving less than 30%-40% seats in educational institutes and government jobs under the open category.
Published – June 15, 2026 11:00 pm IST
