August 5, 2019 — the day Article 370 of the Constitution granting a special status to Jammu and Kashmir was diluted paving way for demotion and dissection of the state into two Union Territories  — is indeed a landmark day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir

A day loaded with political connotations, fulfillment of ideological dreams and at the same time shattering the perceptions of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in different measures but one goal — political empowerment which they were divested of on this day.

The biggest blow was the taking away of the statehood status and accompanying protection of land and job rights.

How it has affected the three erstwhile regions of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is a different debate. The question arises why people in the three diverse regions are still agitating, on the sixth anniversary, demanding statehood and political empowerment.

Passing away of the ailing Satya Pal Malik —  the last governor of the J&K state, who presided over the dilution of Article 370 and privy to the details of Pulwama terrorist attack, on the sixth anniversary day — and an accompanying narrative of likely big-time announcement by the Modi Government on further reorganisation of J and K regions of the UT, to mark the day, made it look more curious.

The narrative, a separate state of Jammu and UT — without assembly status for Kashmir, did not fructify into reality as the day passed with mourning of Mr Malik’s death. The reports that Mr Malik was in the process........

© The Pioneer