Supreme Court's Article 370 Verdict Sparks Opposition Fury, Owaisi Criticizes Verdict

Hyderabad: The Supreme Court's affirmation of the Article 370 abrogation has triggered strong reactions from opposition leaders who not only expressed disappointment but vowed to persist in their fight. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi remarked on the repercussions of legitimizing the Union Government's decision, stating, "There was no doubt that the state is an integral part of India. But being an integral part does not mean that it did not have a distinct constitutional relationship with the Union."

Owaisi emphasized the permanence of Kashmir's constitutional relationship post the dissolution of the constituent assembly and expressed concern for the Dogras of Jammu and Buddhists of Ladakh, anticipating demographic changes. Referring to the Supreme Court's Bommai judgement, he questioned the encroachment on federalism, stating, "How is it that Parliament can speak in place of the Assembly? How is it that Parliament can pass a resolution that was to be passed by the Assembly in the constitution?"

Describing the abrogation of Article 370 as a violation of constitutional morality, Owaisi criticized the subsequent bifurcation and downgrading of the state to a union territory, deeming it a betrayal of promises made to the people of Kashmir. He warned of potential implications for other major cities, asserting, "Once this has been legitimised, there is nothing stopping the union govt from making Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad or Mumbai a Union Territory."

Owaisi highlighted the case of Ladakh, expressing concern over its governance by a Lt. Governor without democratic representation.

The Central government had announced the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5, 2019, splitting the region into two union territories.