New Delhi: For the first time since India’s Constitution was adopted in 1950, Jammu and Kashmir is observing Constitution Day. The development happened years after the central government abrogated Article 370, which revoked the region’s special status and its separate constitution.
Until the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir operated under its own constitution and flag, separate from the Indian Constitution. The abrogation, a long-standing commitment of the BJP and its ideological predecessor, the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, fulfilled the vision of its founder, Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who famously declared that “one nation cannot have two constitutions, two laws, and two flags.”
The celebrations, taking place under the theme “Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Swabhimaan” (Our Constitution, Our Self-Respect), are being held across the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, is leading the main event, a Preamble reading ceremony at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.
“Greetings on Constitution Day. Tributes to the makers of our Constitution. On this momentous occasion, I call upon all to uphold the sanctity of constitution & further strengthen principles of social justice, equality and let’s devote ourselves to peace & progress of the society,” Sinha posted on X.
Similar ceremonies are taking place across the region in government offices, public sector undertakings (PSUs), educational institutions, and rural areas.
The General Administration Department (GAD) issued directives ensuring the successful organisation of these events, emphasising the importance of the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption. The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has also ordered the reading of the Preamble to the Constitution across its courts, extending the observance to the judicial branch.
“26th November is celebrated as Constitution Day…The available senior Hon’ble Judge at each wing of the High Court will lead the reading of the Preamble to the Constitution, whereas, the Principal District Judges shall lead the reading of the Preamble to the Constitution at their respective District Headquarters and the senior most Judicial Officer at Taluka Court,” Registrar General of the high court, Shahzad Azeem said in an order.
The BJP-led NDA government’s top ministers, including Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kiren Rijiju, hailed the occasion as a milestone.
