OPINION:”Six Years On: Kashmir Must Break Free from the Shadows of Article 370 and Build Its Future”

Six years have passed since the abrogation of Article 370 — a constitutional provision that once granted Jammu and Kashmir a special status within the Indian Union. Every year since August 5, 2019, this date has resurfaced as a deeply emotive and politically sensitive marker, drawing sharp reactions, historical reflections, and passionate discourse on social media platforms.

This year, as Kashmir marked the sixth anniversary, several leaders were once again placed under house arrest, a move that underscores the continuing unease in dealing with dissent and political expression in the region. Meanwhile, ordinary people took to digital platforms, not streets, to speak about the historic significance and the perceived betrayal of constitutional promises. It was yet another muted anniversary, steeped in symbolism, silence, and simmering discontent.

But amid these narratives, a critical truth emerges: Article 370 is gone — and it is not coming back. The political and legal realities post-2019 have solidified its revocation. Advocacy for its restoration, while symbolic of larger grievances, is becoming increasingly detached from practical governance and future-building. Continuous obsession with a past that cannot be undone risks paralysing the future of an entire generation.

Kashmir must now pivot.

The youth of the region are staring at alarming levels of unemployment, despite the vast potential of Kashmir’s human capital. Promises of job creation, industrial investments, and skill development remain largely unfulfilled. Healthcare infrastructure, especially in far-flung areas, still lacks the basics — quality care, qualified staff, and accessibility. Education, the backbone of any prosperous society, suffers from policy stagnation, inadequate funding, and poor implementation.

Rather than endlessly circling the question of Article 370, political voices and civil society must shift focus to the urgent and real: jobs, education, healthcare, mental health, and local governance. The time has come for Kashmir to demand accountability, not only in constitutional debates, but in developmental outcomes.

True empowerment will not be found in rhetorical promises of autonomy or romanticised memories of the past. It will be found in economic independence, intellectual empowerment, and social upliftment. A new chapter must begin — not built on the ruins of Article 370, but on the foundation of a future that belongs to the people, not just politicians.

Kashmir cannot afford to be held hostage to history. It’s time to move forward — and demand more than just slogans.

About The Author

News Desk

See author's posts