'Pahalgam cannot be ignored': SC on plea seeking statehood in Jammu and Kashmir
PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court on Thursday while hearing a plea seeking restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasised that ground realities cannot be ignored.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, during the proceedings underscored the significance of incidents like Pahalgam that are needed to be taken into account.
The court issued a notice to the Centre, directing it to file a reply within eight weeks on the plea to restore J&K’s statehood.
"It is submitted that any further delay in restoring statehood would result in a serious diminishment of the democratically elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, constituting a grave violation of the principles of federalism, which form part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India," the petition said.
"Therefore, there is no impediment of security concerns, violence or any other disturbances which would hinder or prevent the grant/restoration of the status of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as had been assured by the Union of India in the present proceedings," the petition added.
The petitioners also pointed out that, despite top court's directions for restoration at the earliest and as soon as possible, the Centre failed to provide a designated window for implementation.
- With inputs from agencies
