New Delhi| Oct ,10 : The Supreme Court of India has granted the Centre four weeks to respond to petitions seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The bench, led by Chief Justice B R Gavai, is considering multiple pleas, including those from academician Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and activist Ahmad Malik, who emphasize the Centre’s prior commitment to restore statehood following the abrogation of Article 370.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that while elections were conducted peacefully last year, ongoing security concerns, particularly following recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, necessitate further evaluation before restoring statehood. He noted that consultations with the Jammu and Kashmir administration are ongoing and highlighted the unique challenges involved in the situation.
During the hearing, CJI Gavai acknowledged the region’s security issues, referencing the Pahalgam attack. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan criticized the government’s handling of security, while Mehta defended the government’s actions, asserting that the situation is under control. The discussion also touched on the implications of denying statehood, with advocates arguing that it undermines federalism and sets a dangerous precedent for other states.
Counsel for Jammu-based lawyers pointed out the lack of development and high unemployment in the region, arguing that security concerns should not indefinitely delay the restoration of statehood. Mehta countered that significant progress has been made in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the majority of the population views the central government positively.Bhat’s plea emphasized that delaying statehood would violate the principles of federalism enshrined in the Constitution, noting that recent elections were conducted without incident. The petitioners argue that there are no valid security concerns preventing the restoration of statehood, as assured by the Union of India.
