Srinagar- The Supreme Court upholding the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370 evoked varied reactions from political parties in Jammu and Kashmir with the National Conference vowing to continue its struggle while the BJP welcomed it and said the judgment will be honoured in “letter and spirit”.
The ruling sparked a range of reactions, reflecting the complex and deeply held views on the issue.
As the apex court’s Constitution bench finished delivering its verdict, National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah expressed his disappointment on X but vowed to continue the struggle.
The former chief minister of the erstwhile state acknowledged that it took the BJP decades to reach this point, emphasising their preparedness for the long haul.
“Dil na-umid to nahin nakam hi to hai, lambi hai gham ki shaam magar shaam hi to hai (I grieve but I do not despair, the dusk of sadness is long, but it’s just a dusk, that’s all),” the National Conference leader said.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, however, described the verdict as a “death sentence” not only for J-K but also for the idea of India.
She urged people not to lose hope, emphasising that the struggle in the region has been a political fight spanning decades.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad termed the verdict “sad and unfortunate”.
He expressed disappointment that the sentiments of the people of J&K and the historical significance of Article 370 were not considered.
Peoples Conference chief Sajjad Lone found the verdict disappointing saying: “The Supreme Court verdict on Article 370 is disappointing. Justice yet again eludes the people of J&K. Article 370 may have been legally obliterated but will always remain a part of our political aspirations. In the case of statehood the Supreme Court sidestepped even commenting on it, thus protecting the entire country from any future misuse, by citing precedence. Yet the same misuse was subtly endorsed in J & K. Let us hope at a future date Justice wakes up from its slumber of pretence.”
The Apni Party stated that the Supreme Court’s verdict has saddened the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the core because, over the years and decades, people had been led to believe that this article of the constitution was permanent.
“Apni Party urged the government to bring the domicile law into the constitutional framework in a way that guarantees the exclusive rights of the residents of Jammu and Kashmir to land and jobs.
CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami reacted saying: “The verdict of the Supreme Court dismissing the challenges to the abrogation of Article 370 and dissolution of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is disturbing and has serious consequences for the federal structure of our Constitution which is one of its fundamental features.”
J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina welcomed the verdict, stating that they honour and respect it in letter and spirit. He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to holding assembly elections and restoring statehood to J-K.
“We are proud of our country, Constitution and our judiciary. We respect and honour the judgment of the Supreme Court in true letter and spirit,” Raina told PTI.
He said the Centre has made it clear it is ready to hold assembly elections but the decision has to be taken by the Election Commission.
Sunil Sethi, the J-K BJP’s chief spokesperson, said it is better not to give a political colour to the judgment.
“This is a historic judgment as it puts to rest the questions raised on the complete integration of J-K,” Sethi said.
Kashmir Pandit group ‘Panun Kashmir’ welcomed the decision, saying it was a historic judgment to bury Article 370 once for all.
“It (verdict) has put to rest all the controversies surrounding it. We are happy about the decision,” Chairman of Panun Kashmir Dr Ajay Chrungoo told PTI.
Former general secretary of the All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference Dr TK Bhat said it is a red letter day for all the marginalised communities that have suffered for the past seven decades in Jammu and Kashmir due to Article 370.
The SOS International, an organisation representing the displaced population of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), welcomed the verdict, saying “there was nothing left in the act” over the years.
Dogra scion Vikramaditya Singh welcomed the verdict as a “significant step” towards the complete integration of J-K into the Indian Union.
Singh, the grandson of the last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, called upon all stakeholders to work together towards building a peaceful and prosperous J-K.
The verdict also brought relief to West Pakistan refugees, Gorkhas and Valmikis.
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