Ruling National Conference's working committee meets in Srinagar, seeks special status, statehood
The ruling National Conference (NC) Working Committee, in a meeting chaired by party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday (May 21, 2025), passed a seven-point resolution calling for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status and full statehood. The Committee also urged both India and Pakistan to pursue peaceful solutions to end the bloodshed in the region.
'The party reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, describing it as essential to the region's dignity and the aspirations of its people,' said NC leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq after the meeting.
Besides other senior leaders, the meeting was attended by the party Vice-President and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. This was the party's first Working Committee meeting since its victory in the Assembly elections last October.
Unanimously adopting the seven-point resolution, NC leaders called on the Government of India to immediately restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The Committee reminded the Centre of its earlier commitment made on the floor of Parliament and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench.
The party welcomed the recent announcement of a ceasefire and appealed to both neighbouring countries to uphold peace and work towards lasting and peaceful solutions to the ongoing conflict.
The Committee strongly condemned the brutal attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people, including a young Kashmiri, Syed Adil Hussain Shah. It also expressed grief over the continuing cross-border shelling that has killed 23 civilians.
'The Committee appreciated the overwhelming public condemnation of the Baisaran attack and acknowledged the compassion shown by locals towards stranded tourists during difficult times,' the resolution stated. It further urged the Government of India to recognise this powerful gesture and refrain from actions such as arbitrary arrests, harassment of youth, misuse of bulldozers, and pressure on independent media, warning that such measures risk alienating peace-loving citizens.
Reiterating its commitment to the promises made in its manifesto, the party resolved to continue a 'peaceful, democratic, and constitutional struggle for justice, peace, and the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.'
The NC also condemned reports of harassment faced by Kashmiri students, traders, and residents in various parts of the country. It called upon all State governments to ensure the safety, dignity, and protection of people from Jammu and Kashmir residing outside the Union Territory.
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