The Supreme Court of India on Thursday directed the Central Government to respond to a plea demanding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The matter has been scheduled for a hearing after eight weeks, marking another significant development in the region’s constitutional and political journey.
SC Bench Issues Notice to Centre
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran heard the matter. The petition was filed by academician Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and socio-political activist Ahmad Malik, who sought an early restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, said that “several considerations” were involved in the decision-making process.
When senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioner, urged for an expedited hearing, the CJI remarked:
“You cannot ignore what happened in Pahalgam… It is for Parliament and the Executive to take a decision.”
The court, while acknowledging the sensitivity of the matter, deferred the case for eight weeks.
On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the revocation of Article 370, which had granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
In its verdict, the court also directed that:
- Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir must be held by September 2024
- Statehood should be restored “at the earliest”
However, the timeline for the restoration remains uncertain, prompting continued legal and political debate.
Last year, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court requesting directions to the Centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir within two months. Petitioners argue that the continued Union Territory status undermines democratic representation and administrative autonomy in the region.
The restoration of statehood remains a highly sensitive political issue in Jammu and Kashmir. Political parties, civil society groups, and residents have consistently urged the government to fulfill the commitment made during the Article 370 verdict.
Observers believe that the Centre’s eventual response could influence regional political stability, governance, and public sentiment ahead of the next elections.
The Supreme Court will take up the matter again after eight weeks. Until then, the Centre is expected to prepare its detailed reply, outlining its stance on the timing and process of restoring statehood.
