Mehbooba Mufti Expresses Hope for Upholding Constitution in Article 370 Hearing

04-08-2023 : Amidst the ongoing Article 370 hearing in the Supreme Court, Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed optimism that the country’s Constitution would be upheld and not be compromised to serve the ruling party’s agenda. As a batch of pleas challenging the revocation of Article 370 is being heard, Mehbooba Mufti lauded Mr. Kapil Sibal’s robust defense of Article 370, which she sees as intricately linked to the aspirations and future of Jammu and Kashmir.

Taking to Twitter, Mehbooba Mufti conveyed her anticipation for the arguments presented by her legal team, led by Ms. Nitya Ramakrishnan, during the court proceedings. She reiterated her hope that the Constitution of India would prevail, and the principles it upholds will not be undermined or subverted to align with the ruling party’s political agenda.

The Supreme Court commenced day-to-day hearings on the batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 on Wednesday. Mr. Kapil Sibal, appearing for National Conference leader Mohd Akbar Lone, presented the case on the first two days of the hearings. The matter will be revisited by the court on August 8 for further deliberations.

The revocation of Article 370 in August 2019 marked a significant moment in Jammu and Kashmir’s history. The provisions of Article 370, which granted the region special status, were abrogated by the Centre, leading to the bifurcation of the state into two Union territories – Jammu and Kashmir (with a legislature) and Ladakh.

As the hearings continue in the apex court, the fate of Article 370 remains uncertain, and the legal proceedings carry immense significance for the future of Jammu and Kashmir. The arguments put forward by both sides will shape the course of constitutional interpretation, and the court’s decision will have far-reaching implications for the region and the nation as a whole.