Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Ministers hail Article 370 abrogation anniversary, J&K parties protest
Long ago, a part of India called Jammu and Kashmir had special rules called Article 370 that gave it its own government and flags.
Seven years ago, on August 5, 2019, India's leader, Narendra Modi, removed those special rules.
Some government leaders say this was good because it made Jammu and Kashmir more connected to the rest of India.
They say new roads and jobs came to the region.
But some people in Jammu and Kashmir are sad and angry.
They say their special status was taken away and that August 5 is a "black day."
People from a political party called the National Conference held protests and asked for the special rules to be brought back.
Another party, the PDP, also held a candlelight march in Srinagar.
The region was split into two parts called Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Even now, people are asking for full statehood to be restored.
India marked seven years since Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status, was revoked on August 5, 2019.
Union Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Giriraj Singh hailed the abrogation as a historic step for national integration and development.
Minister Giriraj Singh claimed "Mehbooba Mufti is a terrorist" and blamed her for siding with terrorists.
JKNC leaders and workers, led by Cabinet Minister Sakina Itoo, protested in Srinagar demanding restoration of Article 370, while NC MPs protested in Parliament.
The J&K government and Assembly have passed resolutions seeking restoration of statehood, but the Centre has not announced any timeline.
- Who
- Union Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Giriraj Singh, BJP leaders, JKNC leaders led by Sakina Itoo, and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti
- What
- Union ministers and BJP leaders hailed the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, while J&K parties led protests calling for the restoration of Article 370 and statehood
- When
- August 5, 2026, the seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 abrogation
- Where
- New Delhi and Srinagar
- Why
- Article 370, which granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, was revoked through a Presidential Order, and the erstwhile state was reorganised into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh
Government and BJP
J&K opposition parties
Assessment of the abrogation
Government and BJP
Removal of Article 370 and 35A was a historic step toward national unity and integration; August 5 is celebrated like August 15 and January 26.
J&K opposition parties
Articles 370 and 35A were unjust and discriminatory provisions that strengthened national unity; the JKNC and PDP continue to demand their restoration.
Public reaction and political dissent
Government and BJP
Most people in Jammu and Kashmir are happy and have seen development; only political parties with their own agenda are unhappy.
J&K opposition parties
August 5 is a black day on which the people of Jammu and Kashmir lost their statehood; the special status is morally and constitutionally required.
- Event date
- August 5, 2019 (abrogation); August 5, 2026 (7th anniversary)
- Provisions revoked
- Article 370 and Article 35A
- Key government view
- Hailed as historic step for national integration, unity and development
- Key opposition view
- Termed a `black day` by JKNC MP Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan; parties demand restoration of Article 370
- Protests
- JKNC protest in Srinagar; candlelight march in Srinagar by PDP led by Mehbooba Mufti
- Alleged detention
- PDP members alleged Iltija Mufti was detained during the protest
- Reorganisation outcome
- J&K and Ladakh became Union Territories
- Statehood status
- Centre has not announced a timeline despite resolutions by the J&K government and Assembly