Srinagar: Recent changes to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act of 2019 are viewed by political experts as a strategic move by the Indian government to tighten its control over the region by diminishing the powers of the local assembly to those akin to a municipal council.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the amendments are designed to concentrate authority in the hands of the Lieutenant Governor, stripping Kashmiris of their political rights and solidifying New Delhi’s hold over the territory. This significant shift in governance structure is seen as a continuation of efforts following the 2019 revocation of Article 370, which had previously afforded the region special status.

The transformation assigns the Lieutenant Governor extensive control over crucial sectors, aiming to curb Kashmiri resistance and assert tighter Indian administration. The local population is reportedly feeling disenfranchised and under colonial-style rule, with increased military presence and surveillance adding to the strain.

Critics argue that these measures are intended to systematically weaken the political, constitutional, cultural, and economic standing of the Kashmiris, denying them a significant voice in their own governance.