Many politicians in Kashmir have welcomed the Supreme Court of India's Tuesday decision to admit petitions challenging the 2019 revocation of Jammu and Kasmir's semi-autonomous status, also known as article 370.
The apex court is due to hear daily petitions starting August 2 with a five-judge constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. Over 20 petitions questioning the government's 2019 decision that led to the creation of two centrally administered territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, are believed to have been filed.
What Did the Politicians Say?
Delhi has defended the revocation through an affidavit, arguing that article 370, the provision of the Indian Constitution that guaranteed the region autonomy, had led to “unprecedented development, progress, security and stability” in the region.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the federal government, said the affidavit reflects the present situation of the region.
CJI Chandrachud said the government’s latest affidavit will not have any bearing on the merits of the matter relating to the constitutionality of the case.
However, former chief of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State and current vice president of the National Conference party, Omar Abdullah, told reporters: “We appeal and are hopeful that the Supreme Court will expedite the proceedings of the case and deliver justice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Kashmiri politicians have been maintaining that the petitions challenging the government's decision should be judged on the legality of the move and not the politics of it.
Mehbooba Mufti, president of Kashmir's People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former state chief, said the argument by Kashmiri politicians was vindicated by the Supreme Court not "relying on the Government of India's affidavit."
She, however, expressed caution over the Supreme Court's sudden decision for taking up the petitions.
Federal Government's Take
The federal government has maintained that militant violence, protests, and separatist activities in Kashmir have vastly reduced after the Parliamement's decision to remove Article 370.
Since the late 1980s, the Kashmir region has witnessed militancy which the government of India accuses Pakistan of backing. Both countries claim Jammu and Kashmir in its entirety but portions of the region are administered by India, Pakistan, and China.
The federally-ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), however, has maintained that the removal of article 370 was an important step for the region under Indian administration to move toward progress and peace after witnessing decades of violence.
On Monday, Dr. Jitendra Singh, minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, said, "The constitution in which Article 370 was written, the same constitution mentions that this article was temporary and provisional” during his Srinagar speech ahead of the Supreme Court hearing.