Srinagar, Aug 14: Minister Satish on Thursday said that there is no need to wait for eight months to decide on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, a matter currently before the Supreme Court.
He was responding to today’s Supreme Court hearing, in which the court sought the Centre’s response within eight months on pleas seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to media persons in Srinagar, Satish said, “The issue of statehood is out of our domain, but why wait for eight months? Whatever they are planning to give after eight months should be announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself tomorrow on the occasion of Independence Day.”
He added that if the Supreme Court has made such observations, it should consider every aspect, review the matter, and “return the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Earlier, Supreme Court on Thursday heard an application seeking directions for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, with Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appearing for the applicants.
Gopal Sankaranarayanan told the court that it has been 21 months since the judgment directing the Election Commission of India to hold J&K assembly elections by September 30 and for statehood to be restored “as soon as possible,” yet no substantial movement has been made despite earlier assurances.
Counsel appearing for the former Chief Secretary of J&K supported the plea. Gopal Sankaranarayanan further urged the court to list all related matters the same day, stating that if any clarification is required, a bench should be constituted.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the plea, arguing that the miscellaneous application was “not maintainable,” pointing out that costs have been imposed in similar matters earlier, and stressing that “peculiar conditions emerge in this part of the country” when elections are held. He requested the matter be taken up after eight weeks.
The Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, heading the bench, observed, “Ground situations must be considered, you cannot ignore incidents like Pahalgam.” The Solicitor General maintained that steps toward restoring statehood are underway but said the situation on the ground remains complex.
