Srinagar: After nearly six years, President’s Rule has been lifted in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, following a significant electoral defeat for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The change comes as the National Conference-Congress alliance secured a victory in the recent assembly elections.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the revocation was formalized through a gazette notification issued by the Indian Home Ministry, signed by President Droupadi Murmu. This decision marks the end of the direct federal rule imposed on October 31, 2019, under Section 73 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, along with Articles 239 and 239A of the Constitution of India.
Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the National Conference, has been elected as the leader of the newly formed government alliance. This political shift occurs against the backdrop of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, which was enacted on the same day the Indian Parliament controversially abrogated Article 370, removing the region’s special status.
Despite the political changes, many in Jammu and Kashmir view the recent elections and the formation of a local government as temporary measures rather than a resolution to the region’s long-standing issues. The local population continues to advocate for their right to self-determination, a principle supported by numerous UN Security Council resolutions.
This ongoing struggle emphasizes the Kashmiri people’s desire for an enduring and democratic solution to determine their future, in line with international law and human rights standards, echoing the historical calls for a plebiscite as outlined by the 1949 UN Commission for India and Pakistan. The international community’s role remains crucial in supporting the aspirations of the Kashmiris as they seek to achieve their fundamental human rights and dignity.