The question of restoring full statehood to Jammu & Kashmir is no longer merely a constitutional or administrative issue. It has become a defining test of India’s democratic maturity, its constitutional commitment, and its ability to convert a period of relative peace into a durable and honourable political settlement.

The constitutional changes of 5 August 2019, including the abrogation of Article 35A and the substantial changes made to Article 370, marked one of the most consequential turning points. These decisions fundamentally altered the constitutional landscape and continue to evoke diverse opinions across the political spectrum. Yet, one undeniable reality emerged in the years that followed: the streets did not witness the prolonged cycle of violence, and shutdowns, that had become an unfortunate feature of previous decades. However, to interpret this relative calm merely as the consequence of administrative measures would be an incomplete reading of history.

There was a widespread expectation that, once peace returned, constitutional safeguards—if not under the earlier nomenclature—would be evolved to........

© Greater Kashmir