Amid heightened security, street protests were organised across Jammu & Kashmir by the ruling National Conference (NC) and the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) to mark the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of provisions of Article 370, which granted J&K a special status.

Meanwhile, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha distributed appointment letters among family members of terror victims.

Recalling August 5, 2019, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “Seven years, we haven’t forgotten, and we haven’t reconciled, far less accepted our current circumstances. My party and I remain committed to reversing all that was done to J&K that took away our rights and threatens our identity. ‘The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep...’”

Several NC leaders and legislators held protests in their respective constituencies in the Union Territory. Senior NC Minister Sakina Itoo led a protest at the party headquarters in Srinagar. NC leaders were carrying placards on restoration of special status. “5th August will always be observed by us as a Black Day,” said NC legislator Ahsan Pardesi.

NC minister Javed Rana said the emotions of August 5 remain as profound today as they were then. “Time may have moved forward, but our resolve has only grown stronger. We have neither forgotten nor accepted the circumstances that deprived J&K of its special status and reduced a historic State into a Union Territory. Our commitment has never been about confrontation; it has always been about restoring dignity, democratic rights, constitutional guarantees and the trust of our people through lawful and peaceful means,” said Mr. Rana.

On the call of the Opposition PDP, the party leaders held district-wise protests across J&K. The PDP alleged several leaders were placed under house arrest. The PDP posted videos on social media of several party leaders detained in police stations and many disallowed to leave their homes. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti held a late evening protest on Tuesday and termed August 5 as “the first step towards erosion of the Constitution by the BJP”.

“The message is loud and clear: no amount of manufactured normalcy or carefully crafted narratives can erase the aspirations of the people of J&K. Our demand for dignity, justice, and the restoration of Article 370 remains as strong as ever,” said Ms. Mufti.

Other parties join in

Other regional parties including J&K Apni Party, Awami Itehad and J&K Peoples Conference also registered their protests over the Centre’s decisions made in 2019.

“What happened on August 5, 2019, was a systematic assault on the relationship between the Union of India and J&K. Seven years later, the sweeping crackdown on political activity and democratic expression continues. Ironically, this is being projected as one of the BJP government’s biggest achievements. It continues to rely on strong-arm methods to shrink space for dissent and stifle press freedom,” said CPI(M) leader and legislator M.Y. Tarigami.

Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq termed August 5 as “a painful reminder of the day when a decision was imposed upon J&K by the Government of India, reneging on its own constitutional commitments made to the people, and unilaterally altering its structure and status, further disempowering a people awaiting conflict resolution.”

The Mirwaiz hoped that a day would come when the Government of India would honour the spirit of “Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat”, and engage with the people of J&K with justice, sincerity and respect.

‘Golden day’ says BJP

Meanwhile, BJP leader Ashok Kaul said August 5 “is a golden day and not a black day” and distributed sweets among workers. “The Centre ended three decades of terrorism and stone pelting. Schools remain open. We celebrate the day,” said Mr. Kaul.

J&K L-G Sinha handed over appointment letters to the kin of civilian terror victims in Srinagar on the occasion.

“Our commitment is unwavering. Every eligible terror-affected family will receive justice, rehabilitation and the opportunity to rebuild life with dignity. Terrorism must be eliminated completely and remains a collective duty of every citizen committed to peace, stability and development,” said Mr. Sinha.

Referring to August 5, 2019, the Lieutenant Governor termed it “a historic turning point”. “The extension of over 890 Central laws had significantly strengthened governance, transparency, accountability and equal opportunities throughout the UT,” said Mr. Sinha. 

Security was heightened across J&K on the anniversary. The police had warned of action against those organising protests without a permission.