Amit Shah Reaffirms "Article 370 Will Never Be Restored" Amid Political Promises in J&K

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has once again underscored the firm stance of the central government on Article 370, emphatically declaring that the provision, which once granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will never be reinstated. His remarks come in the wake of promises made by major regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), to work toward restoring Article 370 if they gain power in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

At a press conference in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, after a meeting with top civil and security officials from Naxal-affected regions, Shah made it clear that the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 is irreversible. "Article 370 has no place in Jammu and Kashmir now or ever. It will never be restored," he stated firmly when questioned about the political developments in the Union Territory.

The Background of Article 370 and Political Promises

The move to abrogate Article 370 on August 5, 2019, by the Narendra Modi government was a landmark decision that saw the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir split into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This change sparked controversy, with regional parties vowing to reverse the decision. In their latest election manifestos, both NC and PDP have included the restoration of Article 370 and 35A as key promises.

The National Conference has promised to fight for the re-establishment of Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy, including the restoration of the constitutional provisions that were in place before 1953. The party's manifesto includes 12 key guarantees, with a focus on reinstating statehood and undoing the changes made post-2019. Notably, back in 2000, Farooq Abdullah’s NC government passed a resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly seeking to revert to the pre-1953 status, which was ultimately rejected by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet.

On the other hand, the PDP has labeled the revocation of Article 370 as unconstitutional and illegal, further accusing the central government of deepening the alienation of the Kashmiri people. Their manifesto emphasizes regional cooperation between India and Pakistan and calls for confidence-building measures, while promising to restore Jammu and Kashmir to its “original status.”

Amit Shah's Political Critique

Amit Shah didn’t just stop at reiterating the government's stand on Article 370. He took a direct swipe at the Congress for its alliance with the National Conference for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls. Shah accused the Congress of compromising national unity and security for political gain, highlighting the party's long-standing association with the Abdullah family-led NC. Posing direct questions to the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah asked if they support the NC’s vision of restoring Article 370 and a separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir.

The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir remains charged as both regional and national parties position themselves for the upcoming elections. The BJP’s stance remains clear: Article 370 is a closed chapter, and any attempt to bring it back will not be tolerated.

A Complex Political Terrain

The upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being closely watched as they are the first since the abrogation of Article 370. The promises made by regional parties reflect a lingering sentiment in parts of the region, while the central government continues to push its narrative of development and integration post-2019.

As the political drama unfolds, Amit Shah’s unequivocal message is intended to reassure BJP supporters and signal to the electorate that the changes made in 2019 are permanent. Whether the regional parties’ campaign promises resonate with voters remains to be seen, but the central government’s position on Article 370 is unlikely to waver, even as the debate over Jammu and Kashmir’s status continues to dominate the region’s political discourse.