Now Reading: Seven Years On, Jammu and Kashmir Still Awaits Statehood
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Seven Years On, Jammu and Kashmir Still Awaits Statehood
The Hindu’s editorial marks seven years since Jammu and Kashmir lost special status and Statehood in August 2019. It says the measures followed a security lockdown involving troop deployments, detentions and a…
The Story in Brief
The Hindu’s editorial marks seven years since Jammu and Kashmir lost special status and Statehood in August 2019. It says the measures followed a security lockdown involving troop deployments, detentions and a communications blockade. The editorial argues that violence has continued, while economic gains have not arrived. The J&K Economic Survey 2025-26 puts per capita income at 76.6% of the national average, down from 79.9% in 2013-14. Graduate unemployment is 23.9%, and overall unemployment is nearly twice the national rate.
The Hindu says Statehood has not returned despite Assembly elections two years ago and the Supreme Court’s advice that it should be restored soon. It argues that the Lieutenant-Governor retains control over administration, police and prosecutors, leaving the elected government with limited powers. The editorial also criticises the use of the Public Safety Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, summons and communications shutdowns.
The Indian Opinion
The loudest claims on J&K often reduce the issue to either security or constitutional symbolism. Neither is enough. A government must protect citizens, but prolonged exceptional powers need evidence of better safety, jobs and accountable administration. Equally, calls for immediate Statehood should explain how security responsibilities will be shared. The clearest test is measurable: violence, unemployment and the elected government’s actual powers after restoration. When will those figures improve together?
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
