NEW DELHI — An application has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood within a time-bound period of two months, Bar and Bench reported.
The plea has been filed by college teacher Zahoor Ahmed Bhat and activist Khurshaid Ahmad Malik.
The plea argues that the failure to restore statehood is severely affecting the rights of citizens in the Valley.
Referring to the recently concluded elections in the Valley, the plea—filed through Advocate on Record Soyaib Quresi—states that forming a Legislative Assembly before statehood is restored would violate the idea of federalism, which forms part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India.
The petitioners emphasize that the peaceful conclusion of the elections demonstrates that there would be “no security concerns” if the Supreme Court directs the restoration of statehood within a stipulated timeframe.
Additionally, the plea contends that converting Jammu & Kashmir into two Union Territories has resulted in a diminished form of democratic governance, with the imminent formation of a Legislative Assembly under these reduced conditions.
Bhat further argues that Jammu & Kashmir has historically maintained a federal relationship with the Union of India, making it crucial for statehood to be restored to allow the Valley to retain its unique autonomy and also play an important part in the overall development of the country, the report said.