The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing a batch of petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A of the Constitution till August 27. The article grants special rights and privileges to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
The petitions also include an appeal by a non-governmental organisation called "We the Citizens", which had filed a petition in 2014 to abolish the law as they felt that the special status being conferred to the people of the hill state is "unconstitutional". The petitions will be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud.
Here are the LIVE updates:
- Here's what Omar Abdullah said about the Article 35A.
Kashmir has shut down to protect a provision of the Indian constitution. When was the last time anyone was able to frame that headline? #Article35A
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 6, 2018
Protecting #Article35A is a tacit acceptance that J&K’s future lies within the Constitution of India otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted?
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 6, 2018
- The SC will now hear the matter on August 27.
- The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A which empowers Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define 'permanent residents' of the state and provide special rights to them, reported ANI
- There are chances that the hearing will be adjourned as the CJI said that a two-judge bench cannot hear it
"Article 35A didn't come in the Constitution in just a day. We cannot hear it in a day. This will be argued," CJI said. - Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice AM Khanwilkar have arrived at the courtroom but Justice DY Chandrachud is yet to arrive.
- The chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had said on Sunday that their strike is a 'stern' message' that they do not want the Article 35A to get scrapped or diluted.
By observing an exemplary protest strike today,people of J&K have send a clear message to GOI that their agenda to change the demographic character of the state and its disputed nature will not be tolerated. Tomorrow’s protest strike will send a sterner message of people’s...
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) August 5, 2018
- A 14-member group of senior lawyers from the Bar Association will appear before the Supreme Court on Monday to oppose the petitions, which wants to do away constitutional provision.
- To prevent any untoward incident, the Amarnath Yatra was also suspended as a precautionary measure.
- Life has come to a standstill after separatist leaders like Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, who are against the legal challenge called for a complete shutdown across the valley.
- Since Sunday (August 5), tension has gripped Jammu and Kashmir. Shopkeepers and businessmen shut down their stores and outlets and people remained indoors.
- What is Article 35A?
According to the Article 35A, which was issued by the President of India on 14 May 1954, ppermanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir are accorded special rights and privileges. The article also denies property rights to a native woman, if she marries a person from outside the state.
