To counter protest against J&K government, Omar Abdullah’s party has a plan – gherao BJP offices

To counter protest against J&K administration, Omar Abdullah's party has a plan – gherao BJP offices Saying that the mandate of residents is not a "blank cheque", the National Conference noted it will hold a peaceful gherao of BJP offices in Srinagar.

Key points

• "Party leaders and workers will assemble at Clock Tower, Lal Chowk, Srinagar from where they will march towards the Civil Secretariat."
• According to BJP, its 'Secretariat gherao' would be led by the party's J&K president Sat Shama and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma.
• Reacting to the National Conference's move, LoP Sharma challenged CM Omar Abdullah to seek a fresh mandate from the individuals for restoration of statehood.
• Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express.
• Saying that the mandate of individuals of J&K is not a "blank cheque", the National Conference stated that the same should be respected.

With the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir announcing a 'Secretariat Gherao' on Wednesday to press for "attention to recruitment and employment" reservations, the ruling National Conference has planned a counter move.

According to The National Conference on Tuesday, it will hold a peaceful gherao of BJP offices in Srinagar and Jammu to demand accountability for the promises produced by the Union administration in Parliament and before the Supreme Court with regard to J&K.

"The National Conference will peacefully gherao the BJP headquarters in Srinagar and Jammu tomorrow (Wednesday), demanding accountability for the promises made by the Union government in Parliament and before the Supreme Court of India, " J&K's ruling party remarked on Tuesday. "Our demands are clear: Constitutional guarantees, restoration of statehood, clearance of reservation file, and justice for people of J&K."

Notably, the return of special status, restoration of statehood and rationalisation of reservation were the key election promises of the National Conference. While the National Conference administration has accepted the recommendations produced by the cabinet sub-committee for rationalisation of reservation, it notes the file is pending before the Centre-appointed Lt Governor Manoj Sinha for his assent. Seek a fresh mandate on statehood: BJP.

In practice, the National Conference's plan to cordon the BJP offices in Jammu and Kashmir has come in reaction to BJP's announcement that its workers will gherao the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday.

"Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) J&K will organise a massive protest march against the J&K National Conference Government tomorrow, September 2, 2026, " BJP State Co-Media incharge Sajid Yousuf remarked. "Party leaders and workers will assemble at Clock Tower, Lal Chowk, Srinagar from where they will march towards the Civil Secretariat."

Reacting to the National Conference's move, LoP Sharma challenged CM Omar Abdullah to seek a fresh mandate from the individuals for restoration of statehood. "The CM should seek a fresh mandate exclusively on the statehood issue and allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide whether they endorse his stand, " he continued. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd.

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security problems with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting.

For now, to counter protest against J&K government, Omar Abdullah's party has a plan remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.