3 weeks ago
Kashmir Observes 7th Anniversary of Article 370 Scrapping
Seven years ago, the Indian government took away a special rule called Article 370 that gave the region of Jammu and Kashmir its own special powers.
On the same day, the region was split into two smaller areas called Union Territories.
This year, people marked the seventh anniversary of that decision.
Some people, like the BJP, were happy and held parades to celebrate.
They say the region has become more peaceful and developed.
Other people, like the National Conference and the PDP, were sad and angry.
They call the day a 'black day' and want the old special status to come back.
The police stopped some of their protest plans, so they had to sit inside their offices instead.
Leaders in Delhi also protested and asked the government to give Jammu and Kashmir back its statehood.
The government promised to do this after elections, but it has not said when that will happen.
BJP marked the seventh anniversary of Article 370's abrogation with processions in Jammu and Kashmir, calling the past seven years an era of peace and development.
Opposition parties observed August 5 as a 'black day,' with the National Conference and PDP holding protests demanding the restoration of Article 370 and statehood.
Police and paramilitary forces blocked the National Conference's protest march in Srinagar, forcing party leaders and MLAs to hold a sit-in inside the party headquarters.
In Delhi, INDIA bloc MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, protested outside Parliament House, demanding restoration of J&K's statehood and constitutional rights.
The Centre has given no timeline for restoring statehood despite its 2023 assurance to the Supreme Court and J&K Assembly elections held in September 2024.
- Who
- The BJP-led central government, opposition parties (National Conference, PDP, Congress and the INDIA bloc), and leaders including Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Rahul Gandhi and P. Chidambaram.
- What
- Observance of the seventh anniversary of the scrapping of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, marked by BJP celebrations and opposition protests.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, mainly in Srinagar, and in Delhi outside Parliament House.
- When
- August 5, 2026, the seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 decision.
- Why
- The BJP hails the abrogation as an era of peace and development, while opposition parties demand the restoration of Article 370, J&K statehood and constitutional rights, accusing the Centre of breaking its statehood promise.
Opposition parties (National Conference, PDP, Congress, INDIA bloc)
BJP-led central government
Article 370 abrogation
Opposition parties (National Conference, PDP, Congress, INDIA bloc)
Calls the August 5, 2019 decision a 'constitutional outrage' that split the state of Jammu and Kashmir and stripped its special status; demands restoration of Article 370.
BJP-led central government
Terms the seven years since the abrogation and bifurcation an era of peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Restoration of statehood
Opposition parties (National Conference, PDP, Congress, INDIA bloc)
Accuses the Centre of breaking its promise; no timeline has been given despite the 2023 assurance to the Supreme Court and September 2024 Assembly elections, with resolutions passed by the J&K cabinet and assembly.
BJP-led central government
Maintains that J&K's Union Territory status is temporary and statehood will be restored after Assembly elections, though no timeline has been announced.
Protest restrictions on the anniversary
Opposition parties (National Conference, PDP, Congress, INDIA bloc)
Only the BJP was allowed to take out processions; the National Conference's protest march was blocked, some MLAs were put under house arrest, and leaders held a sit-in inside the party headquarters.
BJP-led central government
BJP workers held processions to celebrate the abrogation and challenge decades-old cultural slogans woven around Article 370, highlighting peace and development.
Key facts
- Event
- Seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370
- Original decision date
- August 5, 2019
- Celebrating side
- BJP, the only party allowed to take out processions
- Protesting side
- National Conference, PDP, Congress and INDIA bloc
- Main locations
- Srinagar (J&K) and Delhi (Parliament House)
- J&K Assembly elections
- Held in September 2024
- Statehood assurance
- Centre told Supreme Court in 2023 statehood would be restored after Assembly elections; no timeline given
- Opposition label
- August 5 observed as 'black day'; P. Chidambaram called the move a 'constitutional outrage'
Quotes
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
“"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep."”
NDTV
Sources
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