August 06
The Apex court of India is all set to hear the petition challenging the special status of Jammu Kashmir today, we bring you the live updates of the latest developments.
The Supreme court of India that had adjourned the hearing on the petition to August 31, which has been responded to by Kashmiris by a complete shutdown.
Protests are being held in Jammu Kashmir against the legal challenge to Article 35-A of the Constitution (special status to Jammu Kashmir) in the Supreme Court.
The protesters wowed to defend the constitutional provision, that bars people from outside Jammu Kashmir acquire any immovable property in the state.
Traders organisations took out a protest march and held a sit-in many places of the valley including Sringar, Tral, Islamabad (Anantnag), Pulwama, Kulgam.
Peaceful rallies were taken out at several places in other districts and towns of the valley, they said.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear pleas challenging the validity of the Article 35-A today on a crucial Friday.
The state government has filed an application before the Registrar of the Supreme Court, informing that it is going to seek adjournment of the hearing of the petition in view of the “ongoing preparations for the upcoming panchayat and urban local body and municipal elections in the state”.
A non-governmental organisation named ‘We the Citizens’, filed a petitioned in the Indian Supreme Court in 2014 to abolish the law on the grounds that it was “unconstitutional”.
LIVE UPDATES
IST
10:05 am: Ahead of Article 35A hearing, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said fiddling with the state’s special status would have “catastrophic ramifications” for the entire country.
10:10: Mobile Internet Services continue to remain shut in Islamabad (Anantnag) and Shopian Districts, Train services remain suspended for second consecutive day.
10:25: BJP Leader Subramanian Swamy echoes the voice of opponents of 35-a, says that he is hopeful that the Supreme court will abrogate Article 35 ‘A’. Swamy has been vocal for uniform civil code, ‘Same nation, Same laws.’
10:45 am: President of Shiv Sena in Jammu Kashmir, Dimpy Kohli urged BJP-led Central Government to revoke Article 35A from Jammu Kashmir.
10:55 am: The Supreme may adjourn the hearing of petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A. The 2-judge bench are already in the courtroom. However, the third Justice DY Chandrachud is not available. The matter was initially supposed to be heard by a three-judge bench.
11:00 am: “Article 35A didn’t come in the Constitution in just a day. We cannot hear it in a day. This will be argued,” Chief Justice of India says.
11:05am: “An argument about strike by lawyers can’t now be a ground to speed up the case,” Justice Deepak Mishra says. Jammu Kashmir seeks matter to be adjourned to December. The matter will now be listed on August 27. SC will hear arguments on reference.
11:11: Omar Abdullah Tweets, “Kashmir has shut down to protect a provision of the Indian constitution. When was the last time anyone was able to frame that headline?”