11-12-2023 : Reacting to the Supreme Court’s verdict on the abrogation of Article 370, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar expressed optimism on Monday, envisioning a “brighter future” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) and Ladakh. EAM Jaishankar noted that the historic judgment, upholding the Parliament’s decision on August 5, 2019, signifies a pivotal moment for the region, ushering in development, good governance, and empowerment that were long overdue.
In a post on X, Jaishankar emphasized the positive impact of the Supreme Court’s decision on India’s unity and integrity. He stated, “Today’s judgement portends a brighter future for our brothers and sisters in J&K and Ladakh. The Modi government will continue its relentless efforts to bring more growth and development for them.”
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court upheld the Union Government’s decision to abrogate Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The court, in a landmark verdict delivered by a five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, declared that every decision taken by the Centre on behalf of a state under proclamation cannot be subject to a legal challenge. The court stressed that challenging such decisions would lead to the administration of the state coming to a standstill.
CJI Chandrachud, while reading out the judgment, highlighted that Article 370 is a temporary provision, and the proclamation of the Maharaja stated that the Constitution of India would supersede. The court noted that Article 370 was an interim arrangement due to war conditions in the state and emphasized that a textual reading indicates its temporary nature.
The central government, on August 5, 2019, announced the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370, bifurcating the region into two union territories. The Supreme Court’s verdict also directed the Election Commission to conduct Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections by September 30, 2024. Acknowledging the Centre’s submission on the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, the apex court directed that statehood be restored as soon as possible. The judgment marks a significant development in the legal landscape surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 and the future governance of the region.