New Delhi, August 31, 2023: The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the scheduling of elections in Jammu and Kashmir rests with the Election Commission and the state poll panel. This statement was made during the hearing of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to the region.
Earlier, the Centre had argued that the unique situation in Jammu and Kashmir necessitated its bifurcation into two union territories.
In the previous hearing, the Supreme Court underscored the importance of reinstating democracy in J&K, which has been devoid of an elected government since June 2018. However, the Centre declined to provide a specific timeline for the restoration of the region’s statehood during today’s session.
The central focus of the debate remains the adherence to proper procedures during the revocation of Article 370 and the subsequent division of the state.
Leaders and petitioners from Ladakh expressed disappointment over the statement by the Solicitor General, affirming that Ladakh will remain a Union Territory. Over the past two years, substantial protests in Ladakh have called for the region’s statehood.
Following the scrapping of Article 370 in August 2019, the Centre had indicated its intent to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood at an appropriate juncture. Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated this commitment, yet a specific timeline for this move has not been established.
