SC ignored people's voice in Kashmir, says activist

Visakhapatnam: “The situation surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir is a complex tapestry woven with unmet promises and overlooked aspirations,” alleged activist from the minorities and city lawyer Jaha Ara here on Monday.

“Politically, the foundational essence of considering the voices and desires of the region was neglected. The engagement with the people, their cultural significance, and the governmental assurances were disregarded,” she said in response to the Supreme Court order approving the abrogation of special status for Kashmir.

“The abrupt abrogation of Article 370 without adequate consultation with the local government or the populace disoriented the essence of governance and shattered the assurances given to Kashmiris since Independence,” she claimed.

She added, “Geopolitical realities and the unique circumstances of Kashmir were overlooked, leading to arbitrary decisions that failed to acknowledge the sensitivity of the boundaries and threats faced by the region. The expectation that the Supreme Court might consider the amassed opinions and parliamentary discussions for such a monumental decision in the realm of constitutional assembly rights remains unmet.”

“The power to reconsider Article 370 and Article 35 should ideally rest within the Constitutional Assembly, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to addressing the demands and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

The Supreme Court's direction to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and conduct elections to the state assembly as soon as possible was a step in the right direction for restoring democracy in the hill state,” said the president of the forum of legal professionals, Kuppili Muralidhar.

In a statement, he said the Supreme Court held that Article 370 was a temporary provision and Kashmir had no internal integrity of its own. “This supported the stand of the government and was on expected lines.”