Omar Abdullah Slams Congress Over Kashmir Statehood Protest, Reacts to Vice President Dhankhar’s Resignation
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 22 July 2025
Parallel Politics or Broken Alliance?
In the rapidly heating political landscape surrounding Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has delivered a sharp critique of the Congress Party—accusing it of bypassing key allies in its recent protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Speaking from Safapora in Ganderbal, Omar didn’t hold back, stating bluntly that his party, the National Conference (NC), was never consulted, even though it was the first to raise the demand for statehood restoration. He emphasized that Congress’s move lacked coordination, undermining both unity and credibility.
At the same press interaction, he also addressed the unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, calling it “unprecedented” and fueling fresh speculation about institutional instability.
This editorial dives deep into both developments—Omar’s criticism, the rift within opposition ranks, and the broader implications of Dhankhar’s resignation on India’s democratic institutions.
Congress Protest: Well-Intentioned or Ill-Executed?
On July 22, 2025, Congress leaders staged a massive protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding immediate restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood. With over 500 party workers and top leaders in attendance, it was one of the most visible protests on the issue since the abrogation of Article 370.
But the spectacle, while energizing on the surface, masked deeper tensions within the opposition.
Omar’s Objection:
“They didn’t even raise the issue during the INDIA bloc meeting. We were the first to pass resolutions in Cabinet and Assembly. If they want our support, let them talk to us.”
His remarks convey hurt and strategic frustration. The National Conference, which has historically represented J&K’s political aspirations, feels sidelined in a debate it pioneered.
NC’s Historical Stand on Statehood
A Long-Led Demand:
The National Conference has, since 2019, maintained an uncompromising demand for:
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Full restoration of statehood
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Early Assembly elections
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Return to democratic self-governance
The NC passed formal Cabinet and Legislative resolutions to this effect, and Omar himself has addressed the issue in national and international forums.
NC’s Central Argument:
Statehood is not a matter of prestige but constitutional necessity—essential to uphold federalism, representation, and local governance in a region long suffering from democratic deficits.
Congress’s decision to go solo, Omar believes, undermines the integrity of this shared demand.
Opposition Unity: INDIA Bloc’s Strains Exposed
The Congress protest has laid bare the fragile threads holding the INDIA alliance together.
What the INDIA Bloc Is:
A coalition of opposition parties formed in 2023 to:
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Challenge BJP’s electoral dominance
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Coordinate on policy positions
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Present a united front in Parliament
Yet, Omar Abdullah’s remarks show that critical decisions are being taken unilaterally, without consultation, especially when it concerns regional allies like the NC.
The Fallout:
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Distrust among allies
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Weakening of issue-based coordination
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Risk of competing narratives within the same alliance
If the opposition is to credibly challenge BJP’s centralization, it cannot centralize its own decisions without buy-in from grassroots leaders like Omar.
Omar’s Defense: “We Don’t Need to Be Co-opted”
What makes Omar Abdullah’s statement especially notable is the tone of institutional self-respect he adopts. The NC isn’t just another regional ally—it is deeply rooted in Kashmir’s political soil, far more so than the Congress, whose influence in the Valley has waned.
“We’ve championed this issue long before it became a slogan in Delhi.”
He is essentially telling Congress: don’t co-opt our struggle for visibility, and don’t treat us as junior partners in our own cause.
Statehood Without Strategy? A Risky Proposition
While the Congress protest drew attention to the statehood issue, political observers worry it may lack strategic depth.
Key Questions Raised:
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Was there a roadmap proposed?
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Was Parliament coordination arranged?
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Were affected parties and allies consulted?
A movement without consensus risks becoming a performance, not a pressure mechanism.
Parallel Developments: VP Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Resignation Raises Eyebrows
While all eyes were on the protest and Omar’s critique, a political tremor quietly rolled through Delhi—the unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Omar’s Reaction:
“This is perhaps the first time a Vice President has resigned in such a manner. Obviously, his health did not allow him to continue. We hope the next VP will do justice to the post.”
While respectful, the statement hints at institutional concern.
Why Is Dhankhar’s Resignation So Significant?
Constitutional Implications:
The Vice President of India:
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Presides over the Rajya Sabha
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Acts as a check within the legislative structure
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Is the second-highest constitutional officer in the country
Sudden resignation from such a post, without prior public notice, creates vacuum and speculation.
Rumored Backdrop:
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Disagreements with the Executive?
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Concerns over procedural autonomy in Rajya Sabha?
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Health reasons—or political exit for a future role?
Opposition parties are reportedly probing the timing, as it coincides with:
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A tense Monsoon Session
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Demands for debates on sensitive topics
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Growing unease over centralization of power
Democracy in Crisis? Institutional Shifts and Public Anxiety
From the statehood denial in Kashmir to the Vice President’s sudden resignation, multiple threads are converging into a pattern of institutional instability.
Common Themes:
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Lack of consultation (e.g., Omar’s criticism)
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Top-down decision-making
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Suppression of dissent or divergence
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Executive overpowering legislative norms
This raises deeper questions:
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Are India’s democratic institutions being weakened?
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Is opposition unity a myth or a project still under construction?
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Are regional aspirations being ignored in national politics?
The Road Ahead: What Must Change?
For Congress:
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Coordinate with allies like NC when dealing with regional issues.
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Treat statehood not as an event, but a sustained campaign.
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Rebuild credibility in Kashmir through long-term grassroots work.
For National Conference:
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Stay engaged despite sidelining—statehood needs all voices.
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Use this moment to reclaim leadership on Kashmir’s political narrative.
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Build alternative forums to keep the issue alive beyond Delhi-centric protests.
For INDIA Bloc:
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Create a working mechanism for consultation and coordination.
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Ensure no one party monopolizes attention or issues.
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Preserve unity through institutional respect and procedural transparency.
Bottom-Line: Protests, Power, and the Politics of Inclusion
Omar Abdullah’s criticism of the Congress protest is more than a momentary rebuke—it’s a reminder that regional legitimacy and national coordination must go hand in hand. The Congress’s protest, while timely, risks becoming a symbolic sideshow without the inclusion of Kashmir’s most rooted political stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Vice President’s resignation adds another layer of institutional uncertainty to India’s already fragile democratic discourse.
As the Monsoon Session unfolds, and as alliances jockey for narrative dominance, the real question remains: Can India’s opposition act as a coalition of equals—or will it replicate the very centralism it claims to oppose?
Only time—and better politics—will tell.
