In a pivotal moment for Kashmir statehood, India’s Supreme Court will hear a plea on August 8, 2025, to restore federal statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, six years after New Delhi stripped the region of its autonomy. Filed by two local residents, the petition demands a clear timeline for reinstating statehood, following the court’s 2023 ruling urging the government to act “at the earliest.”
Article 370 & Kashmir Statehood Plea
The 2019 revocation of Article 370, which granted Kashmir limited autonomy, sparked mass arrests, a communications blackout, and protests met with heavy security. Residents faced months of hardship as India tightened its grip on the Muslim-majority region. X posts reveal ongoing frustration, with many Kashmiris voicing hope for justice but skepticism about New Delhi’s intent, citing the region’s limited-power local government elected last November.
Petitioner’s lawyer Soayib Qureshi emphasized the urgency, noting successful elections as proof of stability. Yet, with the region still under a New Delhi-appointed administrator, locals feel their voices remain stifled. Protests in Srinagar this week, met with heavy security, underscored the region’s unrest.
As Kashmir marks six years of direct rule, this hearing offers a glimmer of hope for a community yearning for self-governance. The fight for Kashmir statehood carries the weight of a region’s dreams and struggles.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 6th, 2025
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