Article 370 Verdict Highlights: SC upholds abrogation of special status of J&K, PM Modi calls judgment 'Beacon of Hope'

“I just said that there is no elected MP from Kashmir but he (Amit Shah) took it to somewhere else…The kind of speech Home Minister Amit Shah gave today lacked dignity… So our LoP Mallikarjun Kharge decided that we should walk out of the Parliament,” RJD MP Manoj Jha said on Amit Shah ‘s remarks in Rajya Sabha.

“Opposition MPs walked out because when there was a discussion going on J&K’s issue, he (Amit Shah) constantly kept saying ‘Ghamandiya gathbandhan’… Our LoP stood up and asked him to speak on Kashmir’s issue, and why he had so many issues with the INDIA alliance…” said Congress MP Rajiv Shukla.

“In a way, Supreme Court’s verdict on Article 370 is a final nail in the coffin on the dreams of elitist Kashmiris, especially the former CMs – Abdullahs and Muftis. They used to receive a special package in the form of Article 370. This special package never reached the common Kashmiris. It was a family pack, a pack of privileges – restricted to elitist Kashmiris…A historical blunder has been corrected…” said Major Pawan Kumar (retd), Shaurya Chakra.

“It is clear that the Opposition had no logic, so they walked out. The way Supreme Court upheld the decision of the govt on Article 370 shows that the decision that was taken under the leadership of PM Modi and the bill tabled by Union HM Amit Shah in the Parliament was right for the safety of the country…” said Union Minister and BJP MP Sarbananda Sonowal.

“This is an important day as both these Bills will be passed and also because this will be written in golden letters in the history of J&K and India. Today, Supreme Court upheld the intention behind Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019, its constitutional validity and the process,” Shah said.

“Supreme Court is the apex court, we can’t pass judgment on it but its verdict was awaited for the past 4 years – ever since Article 370 was scrapped by the Parliament. People of J&K, including me, were hopeful about both Article 370 and 35A…The scrapping of 35A will put a lot of pressure on our land and jobs. Jammu will be more affected than Kashmir because people are still scared to purchase land in Kashmir or work there. This thing was not taken into consideration. There are hostile countries near this border state…So, facilities need to be given to the people here…Even the Centre didn’t think about it. Judiciary overlooked it too. We can’t fight the judiciary, we will have to accept their decision but people are not happy…Thanks to the Supreme Court, they ended the uncertainty over elections and statehood…” said Democratic Progressive Azad Party president Ghulam Nabi Azad.

“Tiruchi Siva (DMK MP) should make it clear if he is speaking on DMK’s agenda to bring back Article 370 or is it the agenda of the entire INDIA alliance…” said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha.

Following the Supreme Court’s verdict on the abrogation of Article 370 on Monday, many politicians of Kashmir alleged they were placed under house arrest. Earlier in the day, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said in an X post, “Even before the Supreme Court judgement is pronounced, police have sealed the doors of the residence of PDP president @MehboobaMufti and put her under illegal house arrest”.

LG Sinha, however, at a press conference in Jammu denied the claims and said “no one has been put under house arrest or arrest in all of Jammu and Kashmir”.

(With PTI inputs)

“We respectfully disagree with the judgment on the manner in which Article 370 was abrogated. We reiterate the CWC resolution that Article 370 deserved to be honoured until it was amended strictly in accordance with the Constitution of India. We are also disappointed that the honourable Supreme Court did not decide the question of dismembering the state and reducing its status to 2 union territories that question is being reserved for adjudication in a suitable case in the future. The Indian National us has always demanded the restoration of full statehood for what has become the union territory of J&K. We welcome the Supreme Court’s verdict in this regard. Full statehood must be restored immediately,” said Congress leader P. Chidambaram during a press conference.

“Supreme Court’s decision is constitutional, humane and a decision that would nurture the unity and integrity of the country. So, we welcome this decision and thank the judges for this. Article 370 was a separatist Article and its revocation was essential for the unity and integrity of the country…” said RSS Leader Indresh Kumar on SC verdict on abrogation of Article 370.

Pakistan has rejected the recent decision by India’s Supreme Court, which upheld the abrogation of Article 370. Pakistan emphasises that the international legal framework does not recognise India’s “unilateral and illegal actions” taken on August 5, 2019. The unanimous Supreme Court decision on Monday backed the Indian government’s decision to revoke the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, according to PTI reports.

#WATCH | On Supreme Court constitutionally validating the removal of Article 370, Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi says, “…Elections have not been held in Jammu and Kashmir after 2014. Democracy and not autocracy is the demand of every citizen of J&K.… pic.twitter.com/JmxBmOvbTO

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2023

“Prima facie we disagree with the SC Judgement,” Congress leader P Chidambaram said while addressing a press conference after the Supreme Court constitutionally validated the removal of Article 370.

“The INC has always demanded restoration full statehood. We welcome the SC judgement in this regard that statehood should be implemented as soon as possible,” he added.

#WATCH | Maharashtra | Sweets distributed outside BJP State Office in Mumbai after the Supreme Court constitutionally validated the removal of Article 370.#Nayajammukashmir pic.twitter.com/mohKNIjt1N

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2023

माननीय उच्चतम न्यायालय द्वारा धारा 370 के विषय में दिये गए फैसले का हार्दिक स्वागत करता हूं। न्यायालय की संवैधानिक पीठ ने धारा 370 और 35A को हटाने के लिए दिए गए निर्णय, उसकी प्रक्रिया और उद्देश्य को सही ठहराया है। आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के नेतृत्व में चल रही…

— Brajesh Pathak (@brajeshpathakup) December 11, 2023