#article370

Posted on 23rd October, 2025 (GMT 08:12 hrs) ABSTRACT The Once in a Blue Moon Academia (OBMA) stands in unwavering solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk and the Ladakh Movement, recognizing their struggle as a fight for environmental justice, climate action, cultural autonomy, and democratic dissent. Highlighting Ladakh’s vulnerability as the “Third Pole” of the world, the statement critiques the…

Posted on 23rd October, 2025 (GMT 08:12 hrs) ABSTRACT The Once in a Blue Moon Academia (OBMA) stands in unwavering solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk and the Ladakh Movement, recognizing their struggle as a fight for environmental justice, climate action, cultural autonomy, and democratic dissent. Highlighting Ladakh’s vulnerability as the “Third Pole” of the world, the statement critiques the…

As the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 approaches on August 5, political corridors in Delhi are abuzz with speculation: Is Jammu and Kashmir about to regain its statehood?

This sudden surge in chatter comes on the heels of back-to-back meetings between President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah — all on the same day.

A Series of High-Level Meetings

What has fueled the speculation?

PM Modi and Amit Shah met the President separately on the same day — an unusual coincidence in itself.

These meetings come just days before the symbolic date of August 5, when Jammu & Kashmir was stripped of its special status in 2019.

Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly met with several political leaders from J&K, as well as BJP’s local leadership from the region.

PM Modi is also expected to chair a key meeting of NDA MPs on Tuesday, further amplifying expectations of a major announcement.

Background: What Changed in 2019

On August 5, 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370, ending Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status. The state was then bifurcated into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh — sparking sharp political and public responses both domestically and internationally.

Since then, the region has been under Union Territory administration, though the Centre has repeatedly promised to restore full statehood at an appropriate time.

What’s Fueling the Speculation Now?

The timing of these political movements is no coincidence:

The Article 370 anniversary has always been politically charged.

Recent developments in grassroots-level democratic processes, such as local body elections in the region, suggest a return to normalcy.

The Centre has been signaling readiness to move toward restoring democratic structures in J&K.

Political engagement between the BJP’s top brass and J&K stakeholders has intensified.

A Calculated Political Move?

Analysts believe that restoring statehood — even partially or conditionally — could serve multiple goals for the government:

Domestically, it could help counter criticism that the region has been governed without representation.

Internationally, it may help project political normalization in the sensitive border region.

For the BJP, it may pave the way for assembly elections and bolster its image as a government delivering on its “commitments.”

No Official Confirmation Yet

As of now, there has been no official word from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Home Ministry, or Rashtrapati Bhavan about the content of these meetings. But the political buzz is unmistakable — and expectations are high.

What to Watch Next

All eyes are now on:

August 5, the anniversary of the Article 370 move

The upcoming NDA MPs meeting

Possible announcements from the Centre regarding Jammu and Kashmir's political future