The Supreme Court heard a petition on Thursday, August 14th, demanding full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. During the hearing, the Chief Justice made significant remarks and asked the central government to respond.
Mehbooba Mufti On Supreme Court: The Supreme Court heard a petition on August 14th regarding the demand for full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. During the hearing, the Chief Justice made important comments, stating that the incidents in Pahalgam could not be ignored. He also clarified that decisions of this nature are the purview of Parliament and the executive branch. The Supreme Court also directed the central government to respond to the petition.
Former Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti reacted bly to this matter. She alleged that the Indian government lacks confidence and is unwilling to loosen its tight control over Jammu and Kashmir.
Statement by Mehbooba Mufti
Former Chief Minister and President of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, bly criticized the central government. She stated that the Indian government lacks confidence and is unwilling to reduce its tight control over Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti said, "Even after revoking Jammu and Kashmir's special status and converting it into a Union Territory, the central government does not seem ready to ease its tight control here. This situation reflects a deep political and psychological deadlock."
The PDP asserts that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is not merely a question of statehood or constitutional status. Unless New Delhi understands and addresses the core issue of the political aspirations of the local people, the region will remain in a state of uncertainty. Now is the time for the central government to rectify its past mistakes and initiate an honest dialogue and reconciliation process, which can establish lasting peace and dignity in the region.
Mehbooba also said that the Supreme Court's recent mention of the Pahalgam terror attack shows that the central government does not trust the stability of the region and there is a state of distrust regarding it.
Details of the Petition in the Supreme Court
The petition was filed by educationist Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and socio-political activist Ahmed Malik. The Supreme Court listed the hearing of the petition after eight weeks. When senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan requested an early hearing, the Chief Justice cited the incident of April 22nd.
Government advocate and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the central government has fulfilled its assurance of holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He also said that the decision to grant statehood is a sensitive and serious matter, requiring consideration of many factors. The Solicitor General informed the court that statehood has broad implications not only from a constitutional perspective but also from the standpoint of security, political stability, and administration.
