Jammu and Kashmir witnessed sharp political contrasts on the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, with regional parties staging protest demonstrations while BJP and several nationalist organisations celebrated the occasion with rallies and public events.
Leaders and workers of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference and Indian National Congress organised protests in different parts of the Union Territory, reiterating their demand for the restoration of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Staging demonstrations, the protesters described the August 5, 2019 decision as “detrimental” to the region’s constitutional and political identity.
In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party, along with several social, nationalist and traders’ organisations, held Tiranga rallies, public meetings and celebratory programmes, describing the abrogation as a historic step towards national integration, equal constitutional rights and accelerated development.
Speakers highlighted increased infrastructure projects, implementation of central welfare schemes and improved investment prospects since 2019.
Security arrangements were strengthened across Jammu and Srinagar to ensure peaceful conduct of rival programmes. Additional police and paramilitary personnel were deployed at sensitive locations, and no major law-and-order incident was reported during the largely peaceful observance.