Congress Leader Salman Khurshid Praises Article 370 Abrogation, Calls It End to ‘Major Problem’

Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid has praised the abrogation of Article 370, calling it the end to a “major problem” that created a perception of Kashmir being separate from India, during an interaction with Indonesian think tanks and academia.

The former External Affairs Minister’s comments, made while addressing a delegation in Indonesia, mark a significant departure from his party’s traditional stance on the controversial decision taken by the BJP government in August 2019.

Speaking to members of Indonesian think tanks and academia, Khurshid emphasized the positive developments in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of its special status.

“Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an article called 370 of the Constitution, which somehow gave an impression that it was separate from the rest of the country. But Article 370 was abrogated and it was finally put to an end,” Khurshid stated.

The Congress veteran pointed to the 65 percent voter participation in subsequent elections as evidence of improved democratic engagement in the region. He argued that the establishment of an elected government in Kashmir demonstrated the success of the decision.

Khurshid expressed opposition to any attempts to undo the changes, highlighting the “prosperity” that has emerged in the region since the abrogation.

“Subsequently, there was an election in 65 per cent participation in election. There’s an elected government in Kashmir today and therefore for people to want to undo everything that has happened, the prosperity that has come to Kashmir,” he added during his address.

Khurshid is part of an all-party delegation led by JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, currently visiting Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. The delegation’s mandate includes briefing these countries on Operation Sindoor and India’s position on regional security dynamics.

The remarks come amid evolving positions within the Congress party on Article 370. The Omar Abdullah-led Jammu and Kashmir government, in which Congress is an ally, introduced a resolution in the Assembly to restore Article 370 shortly after taking office in September 2024.

However, the Congress party has acknowledged that the debate over Article 370’s abrogation is legally settled following the Supreme Court’s ruling, which upheld the central government’s decision. The party has declared the matter ‘closed’ from a constitutional standpoint.

The BJP has maintained strong opposition to any restoration attempts. Party leaders have asserted that Article 370 would not be reinstated under any circumstances, with some making dramatic statements comparing the impossibility to figures returning from the afterlife.

Khurshid’s comments highlight the complex political dynamics surrounding Article 370, particularly within opposition parties. While the Congress initially opposed the abrogation, individual leaders have expressed varying views on the issue’s current relevance and impact.

The statements also underscore the challenges faced by regional parties in Kashmir, where demands for restoration of special status continue to resonate with certain sections of the population, even as democratic processes have resumed.