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Supreme Court directs Centre to respond within 8 weeks on restoring J&K’s statehood, citing Pahalgam terror attack. Petitioners highlight 21-month delay since Article 370 verdict. Govt maintains status quo till elections. Case tests constitutional promises amid security concerns. Next hearing in 2 months.
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court made several important observations while hearing on Thursday a petition seeking restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. A bench headed by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai has sought a response from the Central Government in the matter within eight weeks. In its remarks, the court also referred to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and made it clear that "such attacks cannot be ignored."
An interesting debate took place in the case when senior advocate Gopal Shankarnarayanan, appearing for the petitioners, argued that 21 months have passed since the Supreme Court's decision on Article 370 in December 2023, but the statehood has not been restored yet. He reminded the central government of the assurance that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir would be restored.
On the other hand, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, on behalf of the Central Government, replied that the issue would be considered only after the elections. He said, "We have assured that the state status will be restored after the elections. The status of this region is special." Mehta sought eight weeks from the court so that the government could present its side on the matter.
This petition has been filed by college teacher Zahoor Ahmed Bhat and social activist Khurshid Ahmed Malik. They argue that the status of the Union Territory is affecting the fundamental rights of the citizens. This case is related to the decision to remove Article 370 in August 2019 and bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.
Earlier, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also reacted to this issue and said that restoring the status of the state is not a "concession" but a "necessary reform." He stressed that this issue is beyond regional politics and should be seen in the context of national unity.
The Supreme Court has listed the matter for hearing again after eight weeks. This matter is not only of constitutional importance, but it will also have a direct impact on the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The court's comment that "the events in Pahalgam cannot be ignored" makes it clear that security conditions will also be an important factor in this case.
The biggest question in this entire dispute is whether the central government will return full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as promised. Will any decision be taken on this only after the elections? And will this step prove helpful in bringing peace and stability to the region?
The answers to all these questions may come out in the next hearing. At present, this case seems to be testing the Indian Constitution and democracy.
