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The political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir has been in a state of flux since August 5, 2019, when the central government revoked Article 370, which granted special status to the region, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories. This decision has had far-reaching consequences, impacting the political dynamics, security situation, and socio-economic fabric of the region. The protests organized by Congress, National Conference, and PDP workers on August 5, 2025, marking the sixth anniversary of the revocation, underscore the continued discontent and the persistent demand for the restoration of statehood. The symbolism of these protests, particularly the garlanding of Maharaja Hari Singh's statue, highlights the yearning for a return to the region's historical identity and self-governance. The 'Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq' campaign launched by the Congress party reflects a broader sentiment among the people of Jammu and Kashmir who feel that their rights and autonomy have been eroded. The denunciation of the BJP's actions by these political parties is a clear indication of the deep-seated political divisions that exist in the region. The allegation that the BJP is running the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir through a 'remote control' from the Lieutenant Governor's office points to a lack of democratic accountability and transparency, further fueling resentment among the local population. The reference to the Supreme Court's directive for the restoration of statehood 'as soon as possible' adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The fact that the central government has not yet acted on this directive, even after 10 months, suggests a deliberate delay or a lack of political will to address the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This inaction has further eroded trust in the central government and fueled the demand for immediate restoration of statehood. The planned chain hunger strike from August 9 to 21 is a strategic move by the Congress party to escalate the pressure on the BJP and to mobilize public support for their cause. The hope that the BJP will see reason and restore statehood during the ongoing Monsoon session of the parliament reflects a cautious optimism, but also a recognition that the political battle for the future of Jammu and Kashmir is far from over. The attempts by the police to scuttle the protests, including the brief detention of MLA Iftikhar Ahmad, highlight the restrictive environment in which political activities are being conducted in the region. The fact that even peaceful protests are being met with resistance raises concerns about the freedom of assembly and expression in Jammu and Kashmir. The protests organized by the National Conference and PDP workers, despite being thwarted by the police, demonstrate the widespread nature of the discontent and the determination of these parties to continue their struggle for the restoration of statehood. The formation of the All Parties United Morcha (APUM), a group of various social and political parties, further strengthens the opposition to the BJP's policies in Jammu and Kashmir and demonstrates a growing unity among different factions in the region. The observation of August 5 as a 'black day' is a symbolic rejection of the central government's decision and a reaffirmation of the demand for the restoration of statehood and special status. The continued political unrest in Jammu and Kashmir underscores the need for a meaningful dialogue between the central government and the local political parties to address the concerns of the people and to find a lasting solution to the political crisis in the region. Ignoring these concerns will only further exacerbate the situation and undermine the stability and security of the region. The future of Jammu and Kashmir hinges on the ability of the central government to engage in a genuine and inclusive political process that respects the rights and aspirations of the people of the region.
The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir remains tense and complex, characterized by persistent calls for the restoration of statehood and deep-seated resentment towards the BJP's policies since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. The protests organized by Congress, National Conference, and PDP workers on August 5, 2025, serve as a stark reminder of the unresolved issues and the continuing struggle for self-governance. The 'Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq' campaign, spearheaded by the Congress party, encapsulates the widespread sentiment among the people of Jammu and Kashmir who believe their historical identity and autonomy have been undermined. The symbolic act of garlanding Maharaja Hari Singh's statue highlights a yearning for a return to the region's pre-2019 status and a restoration of its unique cultural and political heritage. The accusation that the BJP is governing Jammu and Kashmir through a 'remote control' from the Lieutenant Governor's office underscores the perception of a lack of democratic accountability and transparency. This perceived disconnect between the central government and the local population fuels further dissatisfaction and reinforces the demand for a return to a democratically elected government with full state powers. The Supreme Court's directive for the restoration of statehood 'as soon as possible' adds a crucial legal dimension to the political debate. The central government's apparent reluctance to comply with this directive, even after a significant delay, raises questions about its commitment to respecting the rule of law and addressing the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The planned chain hunger strike from August 9 to 21 represents an escalation of pressure on the BJP and a strategic attempt to mobilize broader public support. This tactic aims to draw attention to the plight of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and to force the central government to reconsider its stance on statehood. The police's attempts to suppress the protests, including the brief detention of MLA Iftikhar Ahmad, highlight the restrictive environment in which political activities are being conducted. This suppression of dissent raises serious concerns about the freedom of assembly and expression in Jammu and Kashmir and further exacerbates the sense of alienation among the local population. The protests staged by the National Conference and PDP workers, despite facing police resistance, demonstrate the widespread nature of the discontent and the determination of these parties to continue their struggle for self-determination. The formation of the All Parties United Morcha (APUM) represents a significant development, uniting various social and political forces in opposition to the BJP's policies and strengthening the collective voice demanding the restoration of statehood. The annual observance of August 5 as a 'black day' symbolizes a collective rejection of the central government's actions and a reaffirmation of the demand for the restoration of statehood and special status. This symbolic act serves as a powerful reminder of the unresolved issues and the ongoing struggle for political rights in Jammu and Kashmir. The continuing political unrest in Jammu and Kashmir underscores the urgent need for a genuine and inclusive dialogue between the central government and the local political parties. Ignoring the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will only further destabilize the region and undermine the prospects for a lasting peace. The future of Jammu and Kashmir hinges on the central government's willingness to engage in a constructive political process that respects the rights, aspirations, and unique identity of the people of the region.
The demonstrations and political maneuvering in Jammu and Kashmir, centered around the anniversary of the revocation of Article 370, paint a complex picture of unresolved grievances and persistent demands for self-governance. The actions of Congress, National Conference, and PDP workers showcase a united front against the BJP's policies, particularly the downgrading of the state to a Union Territory. This unified opposition underscores the widespread dissatisfaction with the current political arrangement and the yearning for a return to a state with greater autonomy. The 'Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq' campaign, led by the Congress party, serves as a rallying cry for those who believe that the region's historical identity and political rights have been unjustly eroded. The symbolic garlanding of Maharaja Hari Singh's statue highlights the importance of historical continuity and the desire to reclaim a sense of self-determination. The accusations leveled against the BJP, alleging that they are running Jammu and Kashmir through a 'remote control' mechanism, reflect a deep-seated mistrust of the central government and a perceived lack of democratic accountability. This perception of being governed from afar fuels the demand for a return to a democratically elected government with full state powers. The Supreme Court's directive for the restoration of statehood adds a significant legal weight to the political demands. The central government's delay in implementing this directive raises questions about their respect for the judiciary and their commitment to fulfilling their legal obligations. The planned chain hunger strike represents a calculated escalation of pressure on the BJP, aimed at mobilizing public opinion and forcing the central government to address the grievances of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The police's attempts to suppress the protests highlight the challenges faced by political activists in the region, where freedom of assembly and expression are often curtailed. This suppression of dissent further exacerbates the sense of alienation and fuels the demand for greater political rights. The participation of the National Conference and PDP workers in the protests, despite facing police resistance, demonstrates their unwavering commitment to the cause of statehood and self-governance. The formation of the All Parties United Morcha (APUM) represents a significant consolidation of opposition forces, creating a broader platform for advocating for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The annual observance of August 5 as a 'black day' serves as a symbolic act of resistance, reminding the world of the ongoing political struggle in Jammu and Kashmir. The continuing political unrest in the region underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue between the central government and the local political stakeholders. Ignoring the voices of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will only further destabilize the region and undermine the prospects for a lasting peace. The future of Jammu and Kashmir hinges on the central government's willingness to engage in a constructive political process that respects the rights, aspirations, and unique identity of the people of the region. A failure to do so will perpetuate the cycle of unrest and resentment, hindering the region's progress and stability.
The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir continues to be shaped by the contentious issue of statehood and the legacy of the revocation of Article 370. The recent protests by Congress, National Conference, and PDP workers, marking the sixth anniversary of the revocation, highlight the persistent demand for the restoration of statehood and the deep-seated resentment towards the BJP's actions. The 'Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq' campaign, spearheaded by the Congress party, encapsulates the sentiment of many in Jammu and Kashmir who feel that their rights and autonomy have been undermined. The symbolic act of garlanding Maharaja Hari Singh's statue underscores the longing for a return to the region's historical identity and self-governance. The accusation that the BJP is running Jammu and Kashmir through a 'remote control' from the Lieutenant Governor's office reflects a perception of a lack of democratic accountability and transparency, further fueling discontent among the local population. The Supreme Court's directive for the restoration of statehood 'as soon as possible' adds a crucial legal dimension to the political debate. The central government's apparent reluctance to comply with this directive, even after a significant delay, raises questions about its commitment to respecting the rule of law and addressing the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The planned chain hunger strike from August 9 to 21 represents an escalation of pressure on the BJP and a strategic attempt to mobilize broader public support for the demand for statehood. The police's attempts to suppress the protests, including the brief detention of MLA Iftikhar Ahmad, highlight the restrictive environment in which political activities are conducted in the region, raising concerns about freedom of assembly and expression. The participation of the National Conference and PDP workers in the protests, despite facing police resistance, demonstrates the widespread nature of the discontent and the determination of these parties to continue their struggle for self-determination. The formation of the All Parties United Morcha (APUM) represents a significant development, uniting various social and political forces in opposition to the BJP's policies and strengthening the collective voice demanding the restoration of statehood. The annual observance of August 5 as a 'black day' symbolizes a collective rejection of the central government's actions and a reaffirmation of the demand for the restoration of statehood and special status. This symbolic act serves as a powerful reminder of the unresolved issues and the ongoing struggle for political rights in Jammu and Kashmir. The continuing political unrest in Jammu and Kashmir underscores the urgent need for a genuine and inclusive dialogue between the central government and the local political parties to address the concerns of the people and to find a lasting solution to the political crisis. Ignoring these concerns will only further destabilize the region and undermine the prospects for a lasting peace. The future of Jammu and Kashmir hinges on the central government's willingness to engage in a constructive political process that respects the rights, aspirations, and unique identity of the people of the region. A failure to do so will perpetuate the cycle of unrest and resentment, hindering the region's progress and stability. The situation necessitates a nuanced approach that balances security concerns with the need for democratic participation and respect for human rights.
The political climate in Jammu and Kashmir remains charged as evidenced by the recent protests led by Congress, National Conference, and PDP workers. These demonstrations, held on the sixth anniversary of Article 370's revocation, serve as a powerful reminder of the unresolved issues surrounding the region's status and the enduring demand for the restoration of statehood. The 'Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq' campaign spearheaded by the Congress party encapsulates the widespread sentiment that the region's historical identity and political rights have been unjustly diminished. The symbolic garlanding of Maharaja Hari Singh's statue resonates with those who long for a return to a time when Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed greater autonomy. The accusations leveled against the BJP, alleging governance through a 'remote control' mechanism, reflect a deep-seated mistrust of the central government and a yearning for a democratically elected government with full state powers. The Supreme Court's directive for the restoration of statehood adds legal weight to the political demands, yet the central government's delay in implementation fuels frustration and raises questions about its commitment to respecting the judiciary. The planned chain hunger strike represents a strategic escalation of pressure, aiming to mobilize public opinion and force the central government to address the grievances of the people. The police's suppression of protests underscores the challenges faced by political activists in the region, where freedom of assembly and expression are often curtailed. The participation of the National Conference and PDP workers, despite facing police resistance, highlights their unwavering commitment to the cause of statehood and self-governance. The formation of the All Parties United Morcha (APUM) represents a significant consolidation of opposition forces, creating a broader platform for advocating for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The annual observance of August 5 as a 'black day' serves as a symbolic act of resistance, reminding the world of the ongoing political struggle in Jammu and Kashmir. The continuing political unrest underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue between the central government and local political stakeholders. A failure to address the underlying grievances will perpetuate the cycle of unrest and undermine the prospects for lasting peace in the region. The future of Jammu and Kashmir hinges on the central government's willingness to engage in a constructive political process that respects the rights, aspirations, and unique identity of its people. A failure to do so will perpetuate the cycle of unrest and resentment, hindering the region's progress and stability. The situation calls for a delicate balance between security considerations and the imperative to foster democratic participation and uphold human rights. A long-term solution can only be achieved through meaningful dialogue, mutual respect, and a commitment to addressing the root causes of the unrest.
Source: Political parties hit the streets in J&K for statehood, denounce BJP