29 August, Srinagar: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday highlighted concerns about Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) regaining statehood in the midst of current daily proceedings, which is a major step with respect to Article 370.
The court’s probe reportedly led Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to provide his perspective on the situation, stressing that Jammu and Kashmir’s position as a UT is “not permanent” and that statehood would be restored once “normalcy” has returned.
A five-judge Supreme Court constitution bench, chaired by the court’s sitting Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, was informed of the situation. The court’s query over the timetable for J&K regaining its statehood has sparked debates regarding the ongoing changes in the region’s governance system.
The government’s Solicitor General Tushar Mehta responded to the court’s inquiry by saying that Jammu and Kashmir’s position as a Union Territory was only meant to be “temporary.” Mehta said that the choice to identify it as a UT was made in reaction to the situation that was in place at the time.
Further, he said, “Once the situation normalises, the government is committed to restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a state.”
As the status of Jammu and Kashmir has been the topic of heated discussion and speculative conjecture since Article 370 was repealed in August 2019, the ramifications of this declaration are felt strongly across the country and the region.
Ladakh will continue to be a Union Territory, it has been confirmed in a separate development. This confirmation has consequences for the governance and management of Ladakh, which has been included in the UT category since Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised in 2019.
Also anticipated on Thursday is a “positive statement” from the Indian government about the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. The expected statement might have a significant influence on the region’s political and social scene and is likely to spark widespread debate regarding Jammu and Kashmir’s future course. (GNS)
