On Aug 5, 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government took away Jammu & Kashmir state's special privileges, provoking anger in the region and in neighbouring Pakistan. It also took away Jammu & Kashmir's status as a state by creating two federally controlled territories, splitting off the thinly populated, Buddhist-dominated region of Ladakh. Jammu & Kashmir had been the only Muslim-majority state in mainly Hindu India. But the removal of Kashmir's special status - granted to the state via the Indian Constitution's Article 370 - was accompanied by harsh movement restrictions, mass detentions and a complete communication blackout to forestall protests. Pakistan has said it will observe the anniversary of Kashmir's loss of autonomy as a "siege day" in solidarity with Kashmiris.

Source: bd News24 August 04, 2020 07:07 UTC