Six Years After Article 370 Abrogation, 'Normalcy' Returns To Kashmir As Leaders Observe 'Black Day'

Srinagar: On the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, normal life in Kashmir remained largely undisturbed, even as prominent political leaders across the region marked the day as a “black day” and a “brutal reminder” of what they described as the undermining of democracy. Shops, schools, and offices remained open, with no security restrictions imposed, though police and paramilitary forces maintained a visible presence.

The abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019 stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and statehood, bifurcating it into two Union Territories, J&K and Ladakh. While this year’s anniversary passed peacefully, the political atmosphere remained charged with strong statements from across the spectrum.

Leaders Call It Assault On Democracy

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah reiterated his party’s opposition to the move, calling it unconstitutional and unacceptable to the people. “We will continue our peaceful struggle for restoration of J&K’s rights,” he said.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, in a strongly worded post on X, called August 5 “a black day not just for Jammu & Kashmir, but for the entire nation,” warning that the Centre’s “assault on constitutional values” had begun in Kashmir and was now spreading nationwide.

Congress leader Tariq Hamid Karra said the party would observe the day as a “Black Day” across all 20 districts. AAP MLA Mehraj Malik labelled it “the darkest day in J&K’s history”, while Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone termed the day “an ugly example of selective targeting.”

BJP Hails August 5 As Turning Point

J&K BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur, however, called the abrogation a “defining moment” that ended decades of turmoil. “Stone pelting is over, youth have chosen books over bullets,” he said, crediting the move for ushering in development and investor confidence in the region.

Amid this, speculation is growing that the Centre may announce partial statehood for Jammu or further bifurcate the UT, a move yet to be confirmed.