NQ News Desk
August 4, 2025
Buzz around the possible restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir dominated social media discussions on Sunday, following back-to-back meetings between President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Separately, Shah also met with key Jammu and Kashmir leaders, including the BJP chief of the erstwhile state. The region, which was bifurcated into two Union Territories and stripped of its special status six years ago, has remained a politically sensitive area. Sources say the Prime Minister has also called a key meeting of NDA MPs scheduled for Tuesday.
These high-level meetings come just days ahead of the anniversary of Article 370’s abrogation on August 5 — further fueling speculation.
On August 3, PM Modi called on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Interestingly, no official details of the meeting were released — a departure from usual protocol, which typically includes a PIB statement.
Hours later, Home Minister Amit Shah also held a one-on-one meeting with the President.
In the first two days of August, Shah also met J&K BJP chief Sat Sharma and the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta.
On Monday, Imran Raza Ansari, president of the All J&K Shia Association, met Shah to discuss the current ground situation in the Union Territory.
Social Media on Overdrive
Experts and social media users alike speculated whether these developments signaled the Centre’s intent to introduce legislation restoring J&K’s statehood.
Retired Army officer and author Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, followed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, wrote:
“The peace in Kashmir has come at a great cost of human lives… We should not rush into any hasty decision. As the consolidation phase for restoring peace continues — let the situation settle. Let’s not jump the gun.”
Geopolitical analyst Arti Tikoo Singh also noted that strong rumours were circulating that the Centre might restore statehood to J&K.
“Even more bizarre are suggestions that Kashmir and Jammu could be separated into two states. If either rumor is true, it would be disastrous,” she said.
Another social media user commented,
“Is the Government of India planning to grant full statehood to J&K? That would be surprising — and ill-timed.”
Renewed Demand for Statehood
On August 5, 2019, the Centre abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh — under the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019. This move dissolved the J&K legislature and placed the region under central administration via a Lieutenant Governor.
Since then, PM Modi and Home Minister Shah have repeatedly promised statehood restoration — though without any timeline.
In December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370 but directed that statehood should be restored “at the earliest” and “as soon as possible.” While the Centre agreed in court, no concrete steps have been taken yet.
The demand has gained renewed momentum following the 2024 state elections — the first in over a decade — which saw Omar Abdullah return as Chief Minister, backed by Congress. Both parties have since ramped up their demand for statehood.
Although the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack temporarily dampened the movement, the Congress resumed its campaign with protests at Jantar Mantar during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Will Fresh Assembly Polls Follow?
There is speculation that the statehood restoration could be coupled with a requirement to hold fresh Assembly elections, since the last polls were held when J&K was still a Union Territory.
In June, Omar Abdullah addressed the matter, stating:
“I’ve read that statehood will be restored, but fresh Assembly elections would be necessary. Let them do it — who’s stopping them?”
— (With inputs from India Today)
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