Is J&K Getting Statehood Back? Flurry Of Secret Meetings Spark Speculations Ahead Of Article 370 Abrogation Anniversary

Unannounced meetings between top leaders and the President fuel fresh speculation over Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood, just days before Article 370 anniversary.

A protest against the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution (File photo: Reuters via ANI)

New Delhi/Srinagar: Six years after the abrogation of Article 370, a flurry of closed-door meetings between India’s top leadership and the President of India has triggered speculation about the possible restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. The timing of the meetings, ahead of August 5 (the Article 370 abrogation anniversary), has fuelled further speculation across political circles and online platforms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 3, but no official statement was released following the meeting. That same evening, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also visited the President for a one-on-one discussion. The back-to-back nature of these visits, both unaccompanied by formal press releases, caught the attention of observers.

The buzz intensified as Shah separately held a series of other meetings. Among those he met were Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Sat Sharma, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta and All J&K Shia Association President Imran Raza Ansari. These interactions came as the Centre reportedly firmed up plans for a key National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs’ meeting scheduled for today (August 5).

While no official agenda has been made public, the sequence of developments has set off widespread speculation that a major policy announcement regarding Jammu and Kashmir could be on the horizon, possibly including a legislative step towards restoring statehood.

Social Media and Analysts React

Social media users and political commentators have been quick to pick up the signals. Retired Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon, widely followed by key defence leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, cautioned against haste.

“There is a lot of speculation about what may be announced on August 5. The peace in Kashmir has come at a great cost. We should not rush into any hasty decision. The consolidation phase is still going on,” Dhillon wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 

There is a lot of speculation about what may be announced tomorrow (5th Aug).

The peace in Kashmir has come about at a great cost of human lives of security forces personnel and innocent civilians.

It’s fragile still as was evident from the Pahalgam terror attack.

For the sake… pic.twitter.com/AnFFQqcrjK

— KJS DHILLON (@TinyDhillon) August 4, 2025

Six years after abrogation of #Article370, #Kashmir is undergoing a historic transformation. From record tourism to world-class infrastructure, J&K is no longer trapped in inertia. The Chenab Rail Bridge, AIIMS, Vande Bharat, & Smart Cities— KASHMIR BADAL RAHA HAI!@TinyDhillon https://t.co/ObdqcsuhaN

— Sehrish Bashir (@SehrishB_) August 4, 2025

Geopolitical analyst Arti Tikoo Singh echoed similar concerns. She said there was widespread chatter about the potential division of Jammu and Kashmir into two separate states.

“Strong rumours are circulating that the Centre might grant statehood. What is even more bizarre is that rumour mills are suggesting that Kashmir and Jammu will be separated and reorganised. If either is true, nothing could be more disastrous,” she said.

Strong rumours are circulating in Jammu & Kashmir that the Centre may grant statehood to the Union Territory on the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. That is, tomorrow. What’s even more bizarre is that rumour mills are suggesting that Kashmir and Jammu will be…

— Aarti Tikoo Singh (@AartiTikoo) August 4, 2025

Another user wrote, “Is GOI going to give J&K complete statehood? It would be surprising and ill-timed.”

Is GOI going to give J&K complete statehood?
It would be surprising, and ill timed.
5th August is already historic enough. The government has no need to be compulsive about doing something historic every 5th of August.
Give 5 more years at least to settle down things in J&K. https://t.co/JTqVSy1O36

— MIMAMSA (@MimamsaSutras) August 4, 2025

Govt. may avoid needless rush in decision that may undo whatever gain has been made. @TinyDhillon knows abt J&K much more than many politicians. https://t.co/AVIJSSmWRz

— Chandrahas Shetty. (@chan_sim) August 4, 2025

Absolutely bang on target SIR...WHO EVER IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS PLEASE READ THIS TWEET... IT'S FEELING OF WHOLE NATION... https://t.co/b9xnJuPqN6

— Aditya Sharma (@adisonu31may) August 4, 2025

The Long Road Since August 5, 2019

On August 5, 2019, the Centre abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The region’s special constitutional status was scrapped and its legislative powers were transferred to the Centre under the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.

Since then, both Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah have repeatedly spoken about restoring statehood, but no formal timeline has been offered.

In December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370 and asked the Centre to restore statehood “at the earliest”. The government, in response, assured the court that it would do so. But no concrete move has followed.

The demand for statehood regained momentum in 2024 after Assembly elections were held for the first time in over 10 years.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, in alliance with the Congress, pressed for full restoration of statehood. The April 22 Pahalgam attack momentarily dampened the campaign, but the Congress resumed its demand during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, including a protest at Jantar Mantar.

Will Fresh Elections Be Part of the Deal?

Reports also suggest that the Centre might tie the restoration of statehood to the holding of fresh Assembly elections, replacing the current UT-based legislative structure.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah commented on this possibility in June. “I have read that statehood will be restored, but Assembly elections would have to be held afresh. Let them do it, who has stopped them?” he told reporters.

For now, the series of meetings and rising political chatter signal that a major announcement regarding Jammu and Kashmir may not be far off. But until an official word comes, statehood remains an open question and one that continues to stir political and public debate.