Congress Leader Salman Khurshid Breaks Silence, Hails Centre’s Move on Article 370

New Delhi : In a significant remark deviating from the Congress party’s official stance, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid on Friday praised the abrogation of Article 370, saying that the move has helped integrate Jammu and Kashmir more fully with the rest of the country and contributed to prosperity and democratic progress in the region.

Speaking at an event, Khurshid said the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 brought an end to the perception that Jammu and Kashmir was somehow a separate or distinct entity from the rest of India. “There was a major problem in Kashmir, and what happened [abrogation of Article 370] has certainly changed things. It ended a psychological barrier and the notion that the region was not an integral part of India in practice,” he said.

Khurshid acknowledged that while the move was politically contentious and continues to be debated, it had brought certain visible benefits to the region. “One can argue about the method or the manner, but it is also important to recognize that there has been progress—both economically and democratically—since then. The region has seen development, more political participation, and some level of normalization,” he added.

The abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP-led central government in 2019 revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under the Indian Constitution. The move was accompanied by the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh—and was met with strong opposition from several political parties, including the Congress, which called it unconstitutional and unilateral.

However, Khurshid’s remarks reflect a nuanced shift and have drawn attention for breaking ranks with the official Congress line. His statement may also signal an emerging divergence within the party over the long-term outcomes of the constitutional change.

Responding to queries about whether his comments indicate a softening of the Congress position, Khurshid maintained that his view was based on ground realities and personal observation. “We must not be afraid to say when things go right. National interest is bigger than partisan politics,” he said.