Speculations Rise Over Jammu And Kashmir’s Statehood After Modi-Shah Meet President

National News: Speculation about giving statehood to Jammu and Kashmir again has intensified, especially after the recent meetings between the president, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah. This process has started at a time when the anniversary of the removal of Article 370 (5 August) is near. There is a buzz on social media and in political circles that the central government may plan a new step regarding the reorganization of the state.

Formal details not public

On August 3, Prime Minister Modi met President Draupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, no formal details of which were made public. Usually after such high-level meetings, a press release is issued by PIB, but this time it did not happen. On the same day, Amit Shah also had a separate meeting with the president, which further increased the political stir.

Earlier, Amit Shah had a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader Sat Sharma and Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta. Apart from this, All J&K Shia Association President Imran Raza Ansari also met Shah and discussed the ground situation of the Union Territory.

The meetings gave birth to new discussions 

These meetings have given rise to new discussions on social media. Some experts believe that this could be a signal from the government towards restoring the state's status. Retired army officer Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon tweeted that peace in Kashmir has come at a huge cost, so no decision should be taken in haste.

Statehood Uncertainty Persists In Jammu Kashmir

After the abrogation of Article 370 on 5 August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Along with this, the local assembly was also dissolved, and administrative control came under the center. Although the prime minister and the home minister have assured the return of the state status several times, no time limit has been set yet. In December 2023, the Supreme Court also directed the government to take a decision on this issue soon, which is still pending.