SC to pronounce verdict today on batch of pleas challenging abrogation of Article 370 in J&K

Statetimes, 10.12.23, Srinagar: With the Supreme Court to pronounce its verdict on Monday on the constitutional validity of the Centre’s decision to abrogate controversial Article 370, several parties in Jammu and Kashmir expressed hope that the provision will be restored, while on the ground authorities have made “adequate” security arrangements.

The BJP said that there should not be any politics on the Supreme Court ruling and everyone should respect it.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said his party will not disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir even in case of an adverse verdict from the Supreme Court on the petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and will continue its fight in accordance with the law.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said the court’s verdict should be clear.

The NC and PDP are part of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), also called the Gupkar Alliance, which was formed by parties in J-K to fight for the restoration of Article 370.

Another former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed hope that the Supreme Court will deliver a verdict in favour of the people.

Despite apprehensions expressed by many parties about the aftermath, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had stressed that “not a drop of blood was shed” during the critical period.

Scrapping Article 370 was among the core issues of BJP’s agenda and had been consistently included in its election manifestos.

Omar Abdullah on Sunday said his party will continue its fight for the restoration of the rights of people through peaceful means as laid down in the Constitution.

“The Supreme Court has to give its verdict, let it. If we had to disturb the situation, we would have done it after 2019.

“However, we said it then and we reiterate it now that our fight will be peaceful and as per the Constitution, taking the help of the law to protect our rights and preserve our identity. What is wrong in it? Don’t we have a right to say this in a democracy? Can’t we raise objections in a democracy? If others can talk, why not us?” Omar said at a party convention at Rafiabad in Baramulla district.

“The Supreme Court has not passed a verdict yet. How do you know what is the verdict? Maybe it is in our favour! Then what is the need to call my party colleagues to police stations…

“Allah willing, if the verdict goes against them (BJP), what will you do if they start writing against it on Facebook?” he asked.

Abdullah said there was no justification to put curbs on National Conference leaders as they have always been votaries of peace.

“We had knocked at the door of the Supreme Court in the hope of getting justice and that sentiment persists even today,” he said.

DPAP Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad said only two institutions that can return articles 370 and 35A to the people of Jammu and Kashmir – Parliament and the Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court bench is non-partisan and we hope that it will give a decision in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he told reporters here.

Azad, who floated the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) after parting ways with the Congress, said he cannot foresee Parliament reversing the decisions taken on August 5, 2019 as it would require a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.

Azad said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, have an emotional attachment to the special provisions of the Constitution that were repealed four years ago.

“It is important that these (provisions) are restored for securing our present and future,” he said.

BJP’s J-K unit chief Ravinder Raina said the apex court has heard both sides through a transparent process.

“We are confident that it will no longer remain a political issue after the Supreme Court verdict. We are all citizens of this democratic country and everyone should respect and accept whatever the decision the honourable Supreme Court takes.

“Our judiciary is the greatest. There should be no politics on the verdict,” Raina said.

Meanwhile, prominent columnist Prof Hari Om took jibe on senior valley leaders over their reactions. “+Frustrated and defeated Mehbooa Mufti warns Supreme Court, saying if it rejects Article 370 and Article 35A and supports creation out of the erstwhile J&K State Union Territory of J&K and UT of Ladakh, it will be a verdict “against India and J&K” and it will only promote “BJP’s agenda” and jeopardize “national interests”.

Mehbooba Mufti says the “PDP is not optimistic about (Article 370) case outcome”. On the other hand, Omar Abdullah has said that he and other “mainstream leaders in Kashmir” could be arrested or put under house arrest anytime from now or before SC pronounces its verdict.

“What Mufti and Omar said speaks for itself and, hence no comment,” states Prof Hari Om.