Reactions: PM Modi and Dr Karan Singh welcome SC verdict on J&K

Virendra Pandit

New Delhi: Welcoming Monday’s Supreme Court verdict on Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the ruling on the abrogation of Article 370 as “historic” and said it is a “resounding declaration of hope, progress, unity for our sisters and brothers in J&K, and Ladakh”.

“Today’s Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370 is historic and constitutionally upholds the decision taken by the Parliament of India on 5th August 2019; it is a resounding declaration of hope, progress, and unity for our sisters and brothers in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The Court, in its profound wisdom, has fortified the very essence of unity that we, as Indians, hold dear and cherish above all else,” PM Modi posted on social media outlet X.

The Supreme Court ruling, that unanimously upheld the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370, which bestowed special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, is being viewed as a big boost for PM Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections due by May 2024.

“I want to assure the resilient people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh that our commitment to fulfilling your dreams remains unwavering. We are determined to ensure that the fruits of progress not only reach you but also extend their benefits to the most vulnerable and marginalized sections of our society who suffered due to Article 370,” the PM said.

“The verdict today is not just a legal judgment; it is a beacon of hope, a promise of a brighter future, and a testament to our collective resolve to build a stronger, more united India, “ he added, using the hashtag “NayaJammuKashmir”.

Senior Congress leader and former ‘Sadr-e-Riyasat’ Dr. Karan Singh, the son of the last Dogra ruler of the state Maharaja Hari Singh, also welcomed the Supreme Court ruling.

J&K Governor Manoj Sinha junked the non-BJP leaders’ claims that they were kept under house arrest ahead of the apex court’s verdict. No one has been put under house arrest or arrested. “It is an attempt to spread rumors,” he said.

The former chief minister and vice president of the National Conference, Omar Abdullah said he was “Disappointed but not disheartened. The struggle will continue. It took the BJP decades to reach here. We are also prepared for the long haul. #WeShallOvercome #Article370,” Omar said on his X-post.

Another former CM Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Peoples Democratic Party said, “The people of J&K are not going to lose hope nor give up. Our fight for honor and dignity will continue regardless. This isn’t the end of the road for us.”

Ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre’s August 2019 decision to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, the Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday morning tightened security.

Police rubbished reports that it put senior political leaders, including former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdulllah, and Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house detention.

The Srinagar Police also tweeted: “No person has been put under house arrest.”

There was no restriction on civilian movement and the internet was working, police said, adding security and intelligence agencies monitored social media for any “negative propaganda”.

Reacting to the verdict, the Indian National Congress demanded immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and said assembly elections should be held there forthwith to enable people to elect a government of their choice.

Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the judgment of the Supreme Court in cases concerning the abrogation of Article 370 has decided many issues but has left out some.

The judgment needs a careful study, Chidambaram said, noting “Prima facie we respectfully disagree with judgment on how Art 370 was abrogated.”

He said the Congress has always demanded the restoration of full statehood of J and K and “we welcome the SC verdict in this regard.

But “We are also disappointed that the SC did not decide the question of dismembering the state and reducing its status to two union territories. That question is being reserved for adjudication in a suitable case in the future,” he said.

Singhvi also said that the Supreme Court verdict is the law of the land now and the debate on the issue has now come to an end.

“Democracy, and not autocracy, is the demand of every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. Why is the BJP afraid of an elected government,” Singhvi asked.