August 5, 2025 marks six years since the abrogation of Article 370, which provided a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Touted as a landmark moment, the move on August 5, 2019 was aimed at ensuing peace, driving development and fostering deeper integration of the Kashmir valley with the rest of India.
A number of changes have come into effect since then, including the formation of a new government which continues to push for full statehood.
Here’s a look at some of the key moments since Article 370 abrogation:
August 5, 2019: The provisions of Article 370 -- that bestowed special rights upon the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir -- were abrogated by the central government.
Moreover, J&K was bifurcated into two union territories – J&K and Ladakh – under the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.
August 6, 2019: First petition challenging the presidential order scrapping Article 370 filed by advocate ML Sharma. Later on, Sharma was joined by another lawyer from Jammu and Kashmir, Shakir Shabir.
August 10, 2019: National Conference (NC) filed a plea contending that the changes brought in the status of the state had taken away the rights of its citizens without their mandate.
August 24, 2019: The Press Council of India moved the Supreme Court supporting the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir administration’s decision to impose restrictions on communications.
August 28, 2019: A bench headed by then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi refers matter to five-judge Constitution bench.
September 19, 2019: Five-judge Constitution bench set up by Supreme Court to hear pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370.
March 2, 2020: On a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the central government’s decision to abolish provision of Article 370, the Supreme Court declined to refer the matter to a larger seven-judge bench.
July 11, 2023: The apex court said it would begin day-to-day hearing from August 2 on petitions challenging abrogation of Article 370.
September 5, 2023: Court reserves verdict on 23 petitions in the matter after hearing those for 16 days.
December 11, 2023: Supreme Court upholds government’s decision to abrogate Article 370, says steps should be taken to conduct election to Assembly in Union Territory by September 30 next year.
September-October 2024: Assembly elections were held for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370.
October 2024: The National Conference won 42 out of the 90 seats in the Assembly election while alliance partner Congress bagged six.
October 16, 2024: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. His first term as chief minister was from 2009 to 2014 when Jammu and Kashmir was a full-fledged state.
Since becoming the chief minister, Abdullah has consistenly pushed for the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, stating that it was a fundamental right of the people.
What Omar CM Abdullah said?
On the eve of the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, Abdullah Monday said he is optimistic about "something positive" for the Union Territory during the ongoing parliament session but not tomorrow.
“I’ve heard every possible permutation & combination about what to expect in J&K tomorrow so let me stick my neck out and say nothing will happen tomorrow - fortunately nothing bad will happen but unfortunately nothing positive will happen either,” the chief minister said.
“I’m still optimistic about something positive for J&K in this monsoon session of Parliament but not tomorrow. And no, I haven’t had any meetings or conversations with people in Delhi. This is just a gut feeling. Let’s see this time tomorrow,” he added further.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is likely to hear on August 8 a plea seeking the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
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