Centre, J&K Govt Holding Consultations on Statehood Restoration: SG Tushar Mehta Tells SC
Diplomat Correspondent
New Delhi: DD, The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Centre four weeks’ time to file its response on petitions seeking the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, informed the court that consultations between the Union Government and the J&K administration are underway regarding the matter.
He further submitted that “a lot of development has taken place in Jammu and Kashmir, and people there are happy,” adding that 99.9% of the population treat the Government of India as their own.
The petitioners, represented by senior advocates including Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Menaka Guruswamy, argued that the conversion of J&K from a state into a Union Territory raises serious questions for Indian federalism. They contended that if such a precedent is allowed, any state could be downgraded into a UT at the Centre’s discretion.
Sankaranarayanan pointed out that in December 2023, the Centre had assured the Court about the restoration of statehood. “Much water has flown since then — and blood too,” SG Mehta responded, prompting exchanges over recent incidents in Pahalgam.
Senior advocates further argued that the undertaking to restore statehood cannot be ignored and pressed for the matter to be heard by a five-judge constitutional bench, since the original verdict was delivered by one.
Recording the submissions, CJI Gavai-led bench granted the Union Government four weeks to file its reply and agreed to list the matter soon after, noting the impending retirement of CJI Gavai on November 23. (KNC)
