NEW DELHI, 4 August 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan separately on Sunday in a series of meetings that has left political corridors buzzing with speculation regarding the complete restoration of J&K statehood. With tomorrow’s approaching 5th August anniversary of the repeal of Article 370, analysts have suggested this is potentially the beginning of moving legislation to Parliament.
Meetings & Timing
- On 3 August, the PIB issued no formal summary of either meeting a departure from protocol that implies the meetings were about something more than routine briefings to the President.
- The meetings followed interactions between Shah and regional J&K BJP leaders, the UT’s Lt Governor, and representatives of the Shia Muslim community, leading to speculation of top-level coordination for an announcement on a structural policy.
Experts & Social Media Respond
- Retired Lt‑Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon advised against rushing on J&K’s political state:”The peace in Kashmir has come at a huge human cost… we must not make any such rash decision […] let the whole thing subside, let’s not preempt what the future beholds,” he tweeted.
- Geopolitics commentator Arti Tikoo Singh cautioned that speculation of reorganizing Jammu and Kashmir into two distinct states was particularly poorly timed and could be destabilizing:
Historical & Legal Backdrop
- On 5 August 2019, the Modi government abrogated the special status of the region under Article 370 and divided the state into two Union Territories: J&K (with legislature) and Ladakh (without).
- The decision was upheld by a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court in December 2023, declaring the abrogation constitutional and ordering statehood to be restored “at the earliest” and assembly elections held before 30 September 2024.
2024 Elections & New Legislature
- Assembly elections were held in September–October 2024, marking a decade-long gap according to SC’s directive.
- The INDIA alliance—led by the National Conference (NC) and Congress—won 49 out of 90 seats; NC bagged 42, Congress 6, while CPI(M) won the lone remaining seat. BJP came in at number two with 29 seats.
- After an efficacious mandate, Omar Abdullah was administered the oath of office as J&K’s inaugural Chief Minister post-reorganisation, leading a coalition cabinet administered mid-October 2024.
Political Pressure Builds
- J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has consistently put statehood ahead of tenure, saying in June 2025 that he would give up the CM’s chair if it facilitated full restoration of statehood.
- The NC renewed its effort on 23 June, invoking the transition of Himachal Pradesh from a territory to a state as a constitutional model, reiterating that no new election might be necessary to restore J&K’s status.
- Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge officially wrote to PM Modi (16 July), urging a statehood bill be tabled in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. The initiative was warmly welcomed by Omar Abdullah.
- Congress also declared 5 August as ‘Black Day’ to commemorate six years of J&K being down‐graded from statehood. Protest activities across the nation and in Delhi on this day are expected to increase pressure on the Modi government.
- Intra-coalition rift arose when the publicity by INDIA alliance on statehood protests isolated NC leadership, who protested at being excluded from planning and messaging.
Do you think something significant will happen on August 5th?
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