Hundreds of people, led by the chief minister of India-occupied Kashmir (IoK), staged a protest in Delhi demanding statehood for the region.The demonstration, which took place seven years after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, was halted by police.Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized that the protest marks the beginning of the struggle for statehood, rights, and dignity.

The Indian government revoked the partial autonomy of Kashmir in 2019, dividing it into two federally controlled territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.While the government claims statehood restoration is promised for the 'appropriate time,' no deadline has been set.

Abdullah and his party, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, urge immediate restoration of statehood, aligning with the government's pledge.BJP leaders, however, accuse Abdullah's administration of governance failures, suggesting the protest aims to divert attention from these issues.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary criticized the delay in fulfilling the promise of statehood restoration, highlighting the frustration of the Kashmiri people.

The protest underscores ongoing tensions between regional aspirations and central government policies, reflecting deep-seated political and social challenges in the region.