Aug 5, 2025: On the eve of the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, opposition parties in Jammu have intensified their demand for the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir.
The former state of Jammu and Kashmir's special status was revoked on August 5, 2019, and the region was divided into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh. The campaign has gained fresh momentum, despite the fact that the demand for statehood restoration has been growing ever since the Assembly elections last year, particularly in relation to two power centers, the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor. In the UT's most remote areas, the Congress has started outreach programs and led a series of protests. The party plans to observe August 5 as a ‘Black Day’ and hold demonstrations under the banner ‘Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq’ (Our State, Our Right).
During an outreach campaign in Jammu, J&K Congress Working President Raman Bhalla stated that the restoration of statehood was a fundamental right of the people and a promise that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had repeatedly made. “It appears that the promise was made merely to secure votes from Jammu. Bhalla stated, "The central government has failed to fulfill it." He referred to August 5 as "a black day for all of us, though the BJP celebrates it every year" when the historic Dogra state was downgraded. Both the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC) have reiterated their call for statehood. NC leaders argued that the lack of full executive power vested in the Chief Minister is hampering governance and slowing down development in remote areas.
Mehbooba Mufti, the head of the PDP, said at a recent event that Jammu has suffered the most since the abrogation. She alleged that drug addiction is on the rise and that little attention is being paid to it. “From cart pullers to auto drivers and even contractors—people from outside the region are taking over jobs in Jammu,” she said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) has also joined the demand for the restoration of statehood and privileges under Article 371. Manish Sahni, the party's UT chief, claimed at a press conference on Monday that Jammu and Kashmir is a prime example of the "dictatorial attitude of the BJP-led Central government." He stated, "This is the first state in the country to have its status stripped and downgraded to a Union Territory." Meanwhile, the BJP continues to defend the abrogation, calling it a “historic turning point” that transformed the region’s political, social, and economic landscape.
BJP spokesperson and senior leader Tahir Chowdhary said that Article 370 and 35A had created a “wall of separation” between Jammu & Kashmir and the rest of India.
He claimed that the reorganisation of the erstwhile state has led to more direct governance, better oversight of development projects and faster execution of welfare initiatives.