Srinagar: The Supreme Court is hearing a string of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Article 35A today. The article that protects the state subject laws and special rights and privileges of J&K’s permanent residents is being challenged for the fourth time over the past five decades now.
The crucial case will be heard by the Apex Court when Kashmir and parts of Chenab and Pir Panchal regions are observing a complete shutdown in defence of the constitutional provision that restricts government jobs, admissions in professional institutions and scholarships to the state subjects.
Notably, the state’s standing counsel in the Apex Court ShoebAlam on Wednesday submitted before the Apex Court registry that it will seek adjournment when the case comes up for hearing likely before 12.30pm on Friday.
On the last hearing of the case, assistant solicitor general of India Tushar Mehta had appeared on behalf of the state to seek adjournment of the hearing. The Centre had then supported the state’s plea for adjournment.
During the last hearing of the case, the Apex Court had said that it would first decide whether the pleas challenging Article 35A need to be referred to a five-judge constitutional bench for examining the larger issue.
However, the state government, in its affidavit filed during the PDP-BJP government, had sought dismissal of the petition, reasoning the matter has already been settled by the top court.
The Article has been challenged by ‘We The Citizens’ an NGO supported by a right wing group.
Meanwhile, restrictions have been imposed in areas under the jurisdiction of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, MR Gunj and Safa Kadal police stations while partial restrictions will remain in force in areas under Kralkhud and Maisuma police stations on Friday as Kashmir valley observes a shutdown.
“The restrictions are purely preventive in nature and have been imposed to maintain law and order,” police said in a statement.
Comments are closed.