Plea Filed in SC: Restore J&K Statehood to Protect Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Integrity
NEW DELHI, Oct 7: A petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court, urging the immediate restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir within a two-month timeframe. The application, filed by college professor Zahoor Ahmed Bhat and activist Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, argues that the ongoing delay in reinstating statehood is severely impacting the rights of the citizens of the region. Represented by Advocate Soyaib Quresi, the plea cites the recently concluded elections in the Valley, emphasizing that establishing a Legislative Assembly without first restoring statehood would compromise the principle of federalism, a core component of India’s constitutional framework.
The petitioners assert that the peaceful conduct of the recent elections demonstrates that security concerns are no longer a valid reason to delay the restoration of statehood. They argue that the Supreme Court should mandate a time-bound period for this restoration, as it is essential for upholding the rights and dignity of the region’s citizens.
The plea further highlights that the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories has downgraded the region’s democratic status, providing it with a diminished form of elected government. With the results of the Legislative Assembly elections imminent, the petitioners claim that restoring statehood is critical to ensuring the people of Jammu and Kashmir receive the full benefits of a representative and autonomous government.
Bhat, one of the petitioners, underscores that Jammu and Kashmir has historically maintained a federal relationship with the Union of India. He argues that reinstating statehood is crucial for the region to preserve its individual identity and autonomy, which are essential not only for the citizens but also for their active participation in the nation’s overall development. The plea contends that restoring statehood would reaffirm this federal relationship and contribute to the region’s progress within the broader framework of India’s growth. (Bar and Bench)
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