The Supreme Court of India will now hear the application seeking the restoration of statehood to Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir likely on August 14 .According to Kashmir Media Service, Advocate Irfan Hafeez, petitioner confirmed to the media that the matter has been rescheduled and is officially listed for hearing on August 14. 

The application, filed by Zahoor Ahmed Butt and activist Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, challenges the delay in restoring statehood to occupied Jammu and Kashmir, despite assurances made by the Indian government during earlier proceedings. The applicants argue that conditions on the ground — including the peaceful conduct of Assembly polls — indicate that there are no longer any security concerns or law and order issues that could prevent the restoration of statehood. 

Therefore, there is no impediment of security concerns, violence or any other disturbances which would hinder or prevent the grant/restoration of the status of Statehood to the territory, as had been assured by the government of India, the application states. Further, the petition contends that the prolonged delay in restoring statehood is a violation of the principle of federalism, which is a component of the Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution. 

In its 2023 judgment, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had unanimously upheld the constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370, which led to the reorganization of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. However, the court did not issue a binding directive on the restoration of statehood, relying instead on the assurance given by the Indian government.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)