In a recent statement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the irrevocable decision to abolish Article 370, which previously granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Shah firmly stated that there is no room for Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, both presently and in the foreseeable future, shutting down any possibility of its restoration. The controversial provision, which had bestowed special privileges upon the region, was revoked on August 5, 2019, under the Narendra Modi government’s governance.
Shah’s declaration comes in response to the election manifestos of the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the two prominent regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir, which have pledged to advocate for the reinstatement of Article 370. Despite these promises, Shah reiterated during a press conference in Chhattisgarh that Article 370 stands null and void in the region.
Addressing the media in Raipur following a meeting with civil and security officials from Naxal-affected states, Shah reaffirmed, “Article 370 has no place in Jammu and Kashmir, both now and in the future. It will never be reinstated.” The decision to revoke Article 370 in 2019 also resulted in the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two separate Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The NC’s election manifesto outlines a series of guarantees, with a prominent focus on reinstating Article 370 and working towards the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. The party aims to implement the autonomy resolution passed by the former assembly in 2000, demonstrating its commitment to revert to the pre-August 5, 2019, status quo.
Similarly, the PDP has pledged to pursue the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir to its “original status,” advocating for confidence-building measures (CBMs) and fostering regional cooperation between India and Pakistan. The party remains steadfast in its pursuit of restoring the constitutional guarantees that were scrapped in 2019, ensuring that the voices of the region’s populace are heard and their rights are protected.
The contentious issue of Article 370 has long been a point of contention in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape. While parties like the NC and PDP are adamant about restoring the provision, the central government, under the helm of Amit Shah, remains resolute in its stance to uphold the revocation that came into effect in 2019. As the debate surrounding Article 370 continues to evolve, the future of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional landscape remains uncertain.
