As per reports, the National Conference (NC) is scheduled to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday (20 July). They are seeking restoration of statehood, while the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Jammu and Kashmir unit will stage a Secretariat gherao (encirclement) against the Omar Abdullah government’s outsourcing policy.

The NC has invited 56 leaders from across the country, including Congress president, leaders of other political parties and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, to participate in the protest. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the protest would go ahead despite pending approval from the Delhi government. The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has announced its participation in the protest. Meanwhile, BJP members have stated that around 10,000 workers from across the Kashmir Valley are expected to participate in the gherao.