Exactly seven years ago on August 5th, 2019, the Union government abrogated Article 370, and subsequently, Jammu & Kashmir became a Union Territory, ruled directly from New Delhi.

Legislative assembly elections were held in September 2024 but the newly elected government did not have meaningful legislative or administrative powers.

When it revoked Article 370, the government made two promises: one, that the move will usher in ‘normalcy’ to the Kashmir Valley, and two, that it would restore statehood soon.

Today, Jammu and Kashmir is still awaiting statehood. And questions remain: Has normalcy returned? Has insurgency been stamped out? What’s the mood on the ground, and among the Kashmiri political classes?

Guest: Praveen Donthi, Senior Analyst with the International Crisis Group, a non-profit that works on conflict-prevention and resolution.

Host: G Sampath

Produced, edited and shot by Jude Weston

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Published - August 04, 2026 06:13 pm IST