Can't ignore Pahalgam: Supreme Court on pleas seeking restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was hearing the pleas that have sought direction to the central government to restore statehood of J&K, which was stripped off its special status in 2019.

The court was hearing the pleas filed by school teacher Zahoor Ahmed Bhat and activist Khurshid Ahmad Malik, who claimed the non-restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is adversely impacting the residents.

Representing the central government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the plea and said as quoted by Bar and Bench, "We assured statehood after elections. There is a peculiar position of this part of our country. I don’t know why this issue this agitated now.

"This particular State is not the correct State to muddy the water. I will still seek instructions. 8 weeks may be given."

Senior advocate Sankaranarayanan, who appeared for the petitioners, said as quoted by the media, "The judgment had trusted the government to grant Statehood. Restoration of Statehood was to be done after elections (in J&K). It has been 21 months since that judgment…"

After the SG pointed out the "peculiar position" of this part of the country, CJI Gavai said as quoted by Live Law, "You also have to take into consideration the ground realities; you cannot ignore what has happened in Pahalgam."

The court has adjourned the hearing for eight weeks.

"Let them file the response immediately after 8 weeks," the CJI said.

In a historic step, the central government on August 5, 2019 abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which was bifurcated into two union territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Last year, assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir after 10 years. The National Conference-Congress government is currently in power.

The valley, which was witnessing a decline in terror incidents, was shocked when 26 tourists were killed in a terrorist attack at Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam on April 22.