'It It For Parliament, Executive': SC On JK Statehood Restoration; Says Can't Ignore Pahalgam
New Delhi: While hearing a plea seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, the Supreme Court on Thursday, August 14, said that there were several considerations which go into the decision-making process.
Taking note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union Government, the top court sought the Center’s response to the petition. The court has listed the case after eight weeks.
Read Also: Supreme Court Seeks Timeline For Jammu And Kashmir Statehood Restoration
While hearing the plea filed by academician Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and socio-political activist Ahmad Malik, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran further pointed out what happened in Pahalgam can’t be ignored. The court further pointed out “it is for Parliament and the Executive to make a decision.”
The top court had earlier ruled that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood must be restored at the earliest while ordering the assembly elections in the erstwhile state. The court had asked the Union Government to provide a timeframe for restoring J&K statehood
In 2019, the Union Government brought the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act and abrogated the erstwhile state’s special provision, Article 370, making the state two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and striping special provisions. In 2023, the first assembly elections after the abrogation of Article 370 were held and National Conference chief Omar Abdullah took oath as the chief minister.
Since then, there have been calls for the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, noting that it was a constitutional duty of the government and the constitutional right of the people of J&K.
