Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram has expressed concern over the unresolved legal status of Jammu and Kashmir (JK), marking seven years since its bifurcation into two Union Territories. On January 31, 2026, Chidambaram highlighted the issue through a post on ‘X’, in which he called the 2019 bifurcation a “constitutional atrocity” and stressed that there is no definitive Supreme Court verdict on whether an entire state can be divided and converted into Union Territories.
He recalled that the Supreme Court had refused to rule on the issue and instead relied on the government’s assurances that statehood would be restored soon. “How soon do you mean ‘soon’? The government’s sword of bifurcation into union territories is still hanging over the states of India. And the Supreme Court has not yet ruled on an important constitutional question,” Chidambaram said, echoing concerns expressed by constitutional lawyers and political figures.
The abrogation of Article 370 on 5 August 2019 ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and reorganised it into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The central government and its supporters argue that the decision ended separatism and brought about national integration, administrative transparency and legal uniformity, while critics point to the serious implications for the federal system and the constitutional framework.
According to supporters, positive changes have taken place in the last seven years, including the full extension of the Indian Constitution to the region, the removal of institutional barriers, increased infrastructure development, economic investment and, in particular, the empowerment of marginalized communities through the repeal of Article 35A. They also highlight progress in digital governance and socio-economic inclusion, local body elections that promote grassroots democracy, and growth in sectors such as tourism.
In contrast, Chidambaram and others argue that the power to convert a sovereign state into a union territory without a Supreme Court verdict marks a dangerous step for all Indian states.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated the anniversary by describing August 5, 2019, as a “decisive milestone” on India’s path to inclusive development. In a message, he noted that since the revocation, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have witnessed significant transformation in the areas of infrastructure, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports.
He emphasized that women and marginalized communities, who were previously deprived of constitutional rights, have been empowered due to the full implementation of the Constitution. This year’s anniversary marks the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, whose commitment to national unity has inspired generations and whose vision was fulfilled on 5th August 2019, the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to the development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, saying: “We reiterate our commitment to the progress of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and to ensuring that every citizen gets the opportunity to dream big, achieve success and contribute to building a ‘developed India’.”