The Supreme Court of India delivered a momentous verdict today, validating the constitutional propriety of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the judgment as a historic declaration of hope, progress, and unity for the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The top court upheld the Parliament of India's decision on August 5, 2019, regarding the abrogation of Article 370 and directed the Election Commission to conduct Legislative Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024.
In a separate but concurring judgment, Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul reiterated that Article 370 was intended as a temporary provision. He underscored that the purpose of Article 370 was to gradually integrate Jammu and Kashmir, endowed with special status, with other Indian states.
Justice Kaul emphasized that the requirement of the J&K constituent Assembly's recommendation in Article 370 cannot nullify the larger intention behind its temporary provisions. He also highlighted that the principle of consultation and collaboration was not mandatory for the exercise of presidential power in this regard.
PM Modi, expressing satisfaction with the verdict, labeled it a beacon of hope and a testament to India's resolve to build a stronger and more unified nation. He assured that the benefits of progress would reach not only the populace of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh but also the most vulnerable and marginalized sections of society who suffered due to Article 370.
Jagat Prakash Nadda, President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), praised the government's efforts and welcomed the Supreme Court's decision. He hailed the Constitutional Bench's ruling, which upheld the removal of Section 370 and 35A, endorsing its process and objectives.
The Supreme Court's ruling stands as a historic validation of the constitutional steps taken, affirming the path toward progress, unity, and a brighter future for the region and the nation as a whole.