August 5 marks the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, and it is business as usual in the Kashmir Valley -- a stark contrast to previous years when the day would be observed with widespread, politically charged protests. The scene has now changed, as this is the era of 'Naya Kashmir', in which every citizen appears immersed.
Though political aspirations remain, there has been a shift -- from a complete obsession with Article 370 to a widespread yearning for statehood. Have people forgotten the pain of Article 370’s abrogation? Not completely, say political observers. The pain has merely been subdued by the rapidly changing development landscape of Jammu & Kashmir, and has perhaps transformed into a narrative -- still in the making -- reinforced by the ruling political elite, that statehood is on the horizon.
The central government justified the move by stating that these provisions were temporary, encouraged separatism, blocked development, and denied basic rights to many, including women, refugees and marginalised communities. With the abrogation, all provisions of the Indian Constitution now apply uniformly to Jammu and Kashmir. The region was also reorganised into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir with a legislative assembly and Ladakh without one.
Supporters hailed it as a long-overdue step towards full integration and modernisation of the region. They pointed to a decline in terrorism, an increase in tourism, and a surge in infrastructure development as positive outcomes. Government data shows a significant drop in violence, with fewer infiltration attempts and terror-related incidents, as well as increased investment and job opportunities. Critics do have their set of reservations, but there is hardly any loud voice expressing what they see as the demerits of the abrogation.
While NC and Congress -- alliance partners in the government -- are engaged in a one-upmanship contest for the restoration of statehood to take credit, there are no loud slogans from the opposition, not even in remembrance of what they once claimed was ‘precious’ and had been snatched away.
What makes this anniversary distinct on the ground are the strong rumours across the UT that the Centre may grant statehood to the Union Territory on the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. What’s even more bizarre is that rumour mills are suggesting that Kashmir and Jammu will be separated and reorganised into two separate states. While the latter part of the rumour will continue to remain a rumour, the restoration of statehood is only a matter of time.
Whether this will translate into reality remains to be seen until tomorrow. But the Centre -- the BJP in particular -- has been asserting the 'appropriate time' narrative. What that appropriate time is in its assessment is not yet known.
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