SrinagarAug 14, 2025 17:33 IST
First published on: Aug 14, 2025 at 17:27 IST
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The Supreme Court’s observation during the hearing of a petition for the return of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir that ground realities, like what happened in Pahalgam, could not be ignored has drawn a sharp political reactions from the Valley.
“SC’s reference to (the) recent Pahalgam terror attack in the context of granting statehood to Jammu and Kashmir underscores a deeper issue about GoI’s continued lack of confidence in the region’s stability. Even after revoking J&K’s special status & reducing it to a Union Territory, the Centre appears unwilling to ease its tight control. This reflects a deeper political and psychological deadlock,” former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said.
“PDP maintains that the Jammu and Kashmir issue goes far beyond questions of statehood or constitutional status. Unless New Delhi engages with the political aspirations of the people and addresses the core issue head-on it will remain on uncertain footing regardless of the force it deploys. It is time GoI corrects past missteps & initiates a sincere process of dialogue and reconciliation to bring lasting peace and dignity to the region,” she said.
PDP leader and Pulwama legislator Waheed Para said there is no legal or empirical basis to claim that keeping J&K a Union Territory would defeat terrorism.
“If a terror act is allowed to dictate India’s highest constitutional debate, the terrorists have already won. Why should the people of J&K—law-abiding citizens who have upheld the Constitution—be denied equality with every other Indian because of a neighbouring state’s actions? Constitutional rights cannot be contingent on Pakistan’s conduct,” he said, adding, “Denying statehood on that basis outsources Indian sovereignty to those who seek to undermine it. There is no legal or empirical basis to claim that keeping J&K a Union Territory will defeat terrorism; what it will erode is the federal structure, the principle of equal treatment, and the very core of representative democracy.”
The Supreme Court on Thursday told applicants seeking statehood for Jammu and Kashmir that the ground realities, including what happened in Pahalgam, cannot be ignored.
“You also have to take into consideration ground realities…You can’t ignore what has happened in Pahalgam,” Chief Justice B R Gavai said, referring to the April 22 terror attack in which 25 tourists and a local pony rider were killed.
Justice K Vinod Chandran of the bench observed that they “do not have the expertise” and the decision of statehood is “for the executive and Parliament to decide.”
National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq termed the apex court observation “very disappointing”.
“This observation is very unfortunate,” Sadiq told The Indian Express. “The fact is that the (Pahalgam) incident happened even though we didn’t have a statehood and the law and order was with the Centre. Why should the people of Jammu and Kashmir suffer for this. The people responsible should be taken to task, and not the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Sadiq said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will “answer a lot many questions that he has not in the last seven months”.