Salman Khurshid: Revocation of Article 370 Brought Stability and Democracy to Kashmir

Congress leader and member of the all-party delegation, Salman Khurshid, has said that Kashmir has long faced a major issue. Addressing the media and speaking to Indonesian think tanks and academics, the former External Affairs Minister stated that the conflict in Kashmir had persisted for decades.

He noted that much of the issue was rooted in Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gave the impression that Kashmir was somehow separate from the rest of the country. However, with the abrogation of Article 370, that perception has now ended. Subsequently, elections were held in the region, and 65% of the population participated—a strong indicator of democratic engagement.

Khurshid emphasized that there is now an elected government in place in Kashmir, and people do not wish to reverse the progress that has been made. The prosperity and peace witnessed in recent times are widely seen as achievements that should be preserved.

What is Article 370?

Article 370, introduced in 1950, granted Jammu and Kashmir special status and considerable autonomy within the Indian Union. From the beginning, the provision was controversial. Many viewed the region’s special privileges as divisive.

In 2019, the Government of India revoked Article 370, effectively ending the state’s special status. The move also restructured the region into two separate Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh—bringing them fully under the purview of the Indian Constitution.

Khurshid Reaffirms India’s Stand on PoK

Khurshid also reiterated India’s firm position that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) should be returned to India, in accordance with a long-standing unanimous resolution passed by the Indian Parliament.

Speaking to the media, he highlighted that the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly continues to reserve seats for PoK, serving as a symbolic reminder of India’s commitment to reclaim the region.

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