New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Monday upheld the validity of the Union Government’s 2019 decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) under Article 370 of the Constitution. The court determined that J&K has no internal sovereignty, dismissing the need for the State Government’s consent to apply the Indian Constitution there. It emphasized that Article 370 was a temporary provision.
While acknowledging the Solicitor General’s assurance that statehood would be reinstated for J&K promptly, the Court refrained from ruling on the legality of J&K’s reorganization into a Union Territory (UT). Nevertheless, it upheld the designation of Ladakh as a UT.
Additionally, the Court directed the Election Commission of India to take necessary measures to conduct elections for the J&K Legislative Assembly by September 30, 2024.
PM welcomes verdict
Welcoming the court’s verdict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi twitted “Today’s Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370 is historic and constitutionally upholds the decision taken by the Parliament of India on 5th August 2019; it is a resounding declaration of hope, progress and unity for our sisters and brothers in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The Court, in its profound wisdom, has fortified the very essence of unity that we, as Indians, hold dear and cherish above all else. I want to assure the resilient people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh that our commitment to fulfilling your dreams remains unwavering. We are determined to ensure that the fruits of progress not only reach you but also extend their benefits to the most vulnerable and marginalised sections of our society who suffered due to Article 370. The verdict today is not just a legal judgment; it is a beacon of hope, a promise of a brighter future and a testament to our collective resolve to build a stronger, more united India”.