Four years after removing Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, the Supreme Court of India today affirmed the Union Government’s decision to repeal Article 370. However, it said that no decision made by the Centre on behalf of a State may be challenged in court. The Supreme Court further directed the poll Commission of India to organize a state assembly poll by September 30, 2024.
PM Modi welcomes the decision
Political observers had different feelings about the decree. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the Supreme Court’s decision to repeal Article 370 is historic and constitutionally respects the decision made by the Indian Parliament on August 5, 2019.
“It is a resounding declaration of hope, progress and unity for our sisters and brothers in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The Court, in its profound wisdom, has fortified the very essence of unity that we, as Indians, hold dear and cherish above all else,” PM Modi said on X.
“I want to assure the resilient people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh that our commitment to fulfilling your dreams remains unwavering.” he added. “We are determined to ensure that the fruits of progress not only reach you but also extend their benefits to the most vulnerable and marginalised sections of our society who suffered due to Article 370.”
Prime Minister Modi stated that the ruling is more than simply a legal decision; it is a beacon of hope, a promise of a brighter future, and a tribute to the government’s collaborative desire to build a stronger, more unified India.
Mixed reactions from politicians
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader and former Chief Minister stated, “Disappointed but not disheartened. The struggle will continue. It took the BJP decades to reach here. We are also prepared for the long haul.”
PDP chief and former CM Mehbooba Mufti stated, “The people of J&K are not going to lose hope or give up. Our fight for honour and dignity will continue regardless. This isn’t the end of the road for us.”
“We welcome the decision but the things like rehabilitation of Hindus, putting an end to terrorism, making the people of J&K joining mainstream have not happened yet…” said Arvind Sawant, a member of the Shiv Sena.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated, “The Supreme Court judgement on Article 370 cements the long held unifying principle of Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat. This verdict has put to rest mischievous propaganda and disinformation since last 3 years. It is my earnest appeal that all sections of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh society to unite in fulfilling Hon’ble PM’s vision of progress and prosperity in the region. My compliments to Hon’ble HM for his monumental effort in driving the successful abrogation of Art 370 under Hon PM’s decisive leadership and fulfilling the dream of every Bharatiya.”
JP Nadda, the president of the BJP, also praised the move. “Bharatiya Janata Party welcomes the decision given by the Honorable Supreme Court regarding Article 370. The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court has upheld the decision given to remove Section 370 and 35A, its process and objective. The government of Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done the historic work of including Jammu and Kashmir in the main ideology of the country, for this I and crores of our workers express our heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister.”
Karan Singh, the son of Maharaja Hari Singh, a Congress politician, urged those who disagreed with the decision to accept the inevitable and the fact that it had been carried out. “The Supreme Court has upheld the action and therefore there’s no point in unnecessarily hitting their head against the wall. Now my suggestion is that they should turn their energies towards fighting the next elections. That is where the people should now be motivated instead of developing any negativity,” he stated.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, President of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court decision.
“Divisive forces for long had taken the provision of Article 370 as an opportunity to constantly create unrest in the valley & post the abrogation, the Kashmir valley returned to peace stone walling divisive agenda & began focusing on development for the first time,” Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai said.
“On the 5th of August 2019, PM Narendra Modi Ji took a visionary decision to abrogate #Article370,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated. Since then peace and normalcy have returned to J&K. Growth and development have brought new meaning to human life in the valley once torn by violence. Prosperity in the tourism and agriculture sectors has raised the income levels of the residents of both Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Today, the Supreme Court’s verdict has proved that the decision to abrogate Article 370 was completely constitutional.”
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray applauded the Supreme Court’s ruling. He hoped that the J&K polls would be held as soon as possible, and that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir would be incorporated in India so that elections could be held throughout Kashmir.
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