The Supreme Court on Thursday intensified pressure on the Centre, directing it to respond to a plea demanding the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, a contentious issue since the region’s special status under Article 370 was revoked in 2019. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran scheduled the matter for hearing after eight weeks, noting Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s argument that the decision involves “several complex considerations” requiring careful deliberation by the government.
The plea, filed by academician Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and socio-political activist Ahmad Malik, seeks to expedite the restoration of J&K’s statehood, which was downgraded to a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370. The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on December 11, 2023, upheld the revocation but mandated assembly elections in the Union Territory by September 2024 and urged the Centre to restore statehood “at the earliest.” Despite this, delays in reinstating statehood have fueled political tensions and public discontent in the region.
During the hearing, senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing Bhat, pressed for an expedited hearing, citing the urgency of restoring democratic governance. However, Chief Justice Gavai referenced recent unrest in Pahalgam, underscoring that the decision rests with Parliament and the Executive, given the region’s sensitive socio-political landscape. Mehta, representing the Centre, emphasized the multifaceted factors, including security and administrative challenges, influencing the timeline.
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The plea echoes a similar petition filed last year, which demanded statehood restoration within two months, reflecting growing frustration over the prolonged Union Territory status. The 2019 reorganization, which also bifurcated J&K into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh—marked a historic shift, stripping the region of its legislative autonomy. The Supreme Court’s 2023 directive aimed to balance this by pushing for elections and statehood, but progress has been slow, prompting renewed legal action.
As the case awaits further hearing, it underscores the delicate balance between national policy and regional aspirations, with implications for J&K’s political identity and governance. The court’s insistence on a response signals its intent to hold the Centre accountable, while the outcome could shape the region’s path toward restoring its statehood and strengthening democratic institutions.
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