Author(s): Partha seal
Abstract:
The revocation of Article 370 on 5 August 2019 marked a watershed in the constitutional and political history of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). By annulling the region’s special constitutional status and reorganizing the former state into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh—the Government of India redefined the structure of federalism, autonomy, and centre-state relations. This article critically examines the multidimensional consequences of this development, situating it within historical, geopolitical, constitutional, and socio-economic contexts. It analyses political restructuring, governance shifts, security outcomes, human rights concerns, demographic anxieties, and economic implications in the post-2019 period. The study also evaluates judicial developments, particularly the 2023 judgment of the Supreme Court of India, and assesses competing narratives presented by the Union government, opposition leaders, and civil society actors. While the state maintains that integration has improved stability and development, critics argue that democratic erosion and alienation persist. The article concludes that the transformation of J&K represents not the resolution of a long-standing conflict, but the beginning of a new political phase, whose longterm success depends on reconciliation, democratic restoration, and sustainable governance.
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