New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Union Government four weeks to submit its reply to a batch of petitions demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which has remained a Union Territory since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran was hearing multiple petitions, including those filed by academician Zahoor Ahmed Bhat and activist Ahmed Malik, which seek the implementation of the Centre’s own assurance to reinstate statehood “at the earliest.”
Petitioners Refer to Centre’s Previous Commitment
During the proceedings, the petitioners’ counsel referred to the government’s affidavit submitted in the December 2023 Supreme Court ruling that upheld the constitutional validity of revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. That affidavit included a promise by the Centre to work towards restoring statehood to the region.
The lawyers argued that despite this assurance, there has been little visible progress on the ground, prompting the need for judicial intervention to ensure accountability and a clear timeline.
Centre Calls for Time, Cites Complexity
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the Union Government, requested additional time to file a detailed response, explaining that consultations are ongoing between the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration on the matter.
“This is not a standard issue,” Mehta told the bench. “It involves sensitive and wide-ranging factors. While there was a sincere commitment, we must be mindful of the broader implications,” he said.
Mehta also pushed back against criticism of the government’s handling of the situation in the region, alleging that certain groups were deliberately circulating misleading narratives to paint an unduly negative picture of the Union Territory.
A Longstanding Demand
The petitions reflect a growing demand from civil society and political stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir for the return of elected governance and full statehood, a status the region held before it was reorganized into two Union Territories in August 2019.
While the Centre has reiterated its intention to restore statehood — including through parliamentary debates and court submissions — it has not committed to a timeline, fuelling concerns about delays and uncertainty.
What Happened in December 2023
On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous verdict upholding the government’s move to revoke Article 370, which had provided special constitutional status to Jammu and Kashmir. The judgment also noted the Centre’s promise to restore statehood, which it said should be fulfilled “at the earliest.”
Friday’s hearing was the first significant development on the issue of statehood since that ruling.
Next Steps
With the four-week window now granted, the Centre is expected to submit its comprehensive affidavit detailing its current position and any roadmap, if formulated, for restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The matter is likely to return to court after the Centre files its response, potentially setting the stage for further legal and political discourse around the future governance of the region.
