Since the August 2019 decision that redrew the constitutional status of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, few voices have summarized the government's case more directly than the Prime Minister himself. In remarks on the impact of the Article 370 and 35(A) repeal, PM Modi said life in the two Union territories has visibly changed — marked by new infrastructure, wider opportunities, and constitutional rights reaching women and marginalized communities.
A 'significant transformation': the PM's core message
PM Modi emphasized the significant transformation taking place across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The repeal of Article 370, he said, opened a new chapter for the regions — one built on development and constitutional integration rather than the old framework of special status.
What exactly were Article 370 and 35(A)?
Article 370 granted Jammu & Kashmir special autonomous status, including its own constitution and limited application of central laws. Article 35(A) allowed the state to define "permanent residents" and extend special rights to them.
