The Centre told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is not a “permanent thing” and it will make an elaborate statement on this intricate political matter in court on August 31. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said that a positive statement would be made soon.
The response of the Solicitor General came on a query asked by a five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai and Surya Kant about the roadmap and timeframe for restoring the Statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We need a statement from the Central government. Is there any time frame in view? The restoration of democracy is a vital component of our nation. Please tell us the roadmap for this,” asked the bench while hearing a batch of pleas challenging abrogation of the Article 370.
Mehta stated, “The Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is not a permanent thing. So far as Ladakh is concerned, its UT status is going to remain for some time.”
The top government law officer stated that he will make an elaborate statement on the future of the Union Territory status of J-K and Ladakh before the bench on August 31.
The bench, that was hearing Mehta’s submissions, defending the Centre’s decision to do away with the special status of the former state and its reorganisation, stated, “Democracy is important, although we agree that in view of the national security scenario, reorganisation of the state can be done.”
The court asked Mehta and Attorney General R Venkataramani to consult the political executive, seek instructions, and present the information to the court.”
The Constitution bench is hearing a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories.
On August 5, 2019, the Central government announced the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 and split the region into two Union Territories.