ISLAMABAD: India’s Home Minister Amit Shah has introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha, amid massive protests by the opposition parties.
The legislation aims to further disempower the regional government in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and tighten New Delhi’s authority over the disputed region.
The opposition members in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the parliament, rejected the bill, calling it an undemocratic and unconstitutional move.
They say that at a time when Kashmiris were anticipating the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir statehood, the Indian government has further curtailed their democratic rights.
It is pertinent to mention that the people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who are fighting for their right to self-determination expect Statehood, not another attack on democracy.
Removal of elected leaders without conviction
The new amendment bill empowers the Local Government to dismiss the Chief Minister and Ministers after 30 days’ detention without conviction.
The amendment also allows for the possibility of reappointment once the detained Minister or Chief Minister is released.
The bill clearly undermines democratic legitimacy because elected leaders can be unseated without judicial verdicts.
Politically motivated arrests
According to political experts, the bill also paves the way for politically motivated arrests and further central control, as the IIOJK State assembly powers are already limited to a municipal committee.
Independent observers say the Indian government’s deliberate attempts to create friction and discontent by inventing undemocratic moves create suspicions.
BJP’s tactics raise alarm over India’s future
They say the stubborn attitude of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership has pushed India towards ostracization. The failure of Indian foreign policy and growing internal problems demand a fresh social contract.
The self-created problems have caused extreme pressure on Indian leadership, compelling it to make miscalculated decisions.
Experts believe that the Indian government has proved to be incompetent to face challenges like defeat in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, US tariff sanctions, involvement in electoral fraud, and growing demand for restoration of IIOJK statehood and special status.
Anti-Kashmiri and Anti-Muslim sentiment
According to observers, India has resorted to provoking anti-Kashmiri and Muslim sentiments, projecting itself as a victim of terrorism to divert attention from important issues.
They say the amendment exposes that IIOJK democracy is merely a façade, reinforcing Union dominance and proving India’s insincerity toward the self-governance of IIOJK.
Deepen political alienation
The experts warn that the Indian government’s move could deepen political alienation, with people viewing electoral politics as meaningless under central dominance.
They believe that the IIOJK will become the testing ground for this rule, as opposition suspects the BJP wants to prevent any strong non-BJP government from functioning smoothly.
A similar Bill will be tabled to apply pan-India. According to the observers, the Indian government is hell-bent on creating a police state, which will be the final nail in the coffin of the government in the disputed valley.
