SC's deferment of hearing on petition challenging Art 35A gave interim relief to Kashmir people: Mehbooba Mufti
Srinagar, Aug 6 (IBNS): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Mehbooba Mufti, has said the Supreme Court's deferment of hearing on Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the validity of Article 35A, which bestows certain rights and privileges to the people of Kashmir, gave an interim relief to the folks of the northern state.
Mufti, however, also said the uncertainty over the status of the Article has "unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic amongst the people" of Jammu and Kashmir.
The former Chief Minister's tweet reads, "Even though the deferment of hearing on Article 35 A is not a solution, it has brought interim relief to the people of JK. But with uncertainity looming over its status, it has unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic amongst the people of J & K."
Even though the deferment of hearing on Article 35 A is not a solution, it has brought interim relief to the people of JK. But with uncertainity looming over its status, it has unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic amongst the people of J & K.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 6, 2018
Amid showdown in Jammu and Kashmir, the top court on Monday adjourned the hearing of the PIL till the end of August.
The case was to be heard by a three-judge bench but the absence of Justice DY Chandrachud forced Chief Justice Dipak Misra to postpone the hearing.
Article 35A, which was incorporated in the constitution by a 1954 Presidential order, defines the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. It bars people from outside the state to own immovable property in Jammu and Kashmir. It was aimed at protecting the rights and guarantee the unique identity of the people of Jammu-Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir braced for a two-day shutdown since Sunday, media report said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules the central government, has said that it was ready for a debate over the contentious Article 35A of the Constitution.
On Saturday, the valley witnessed protests across several places.
The separatist groups called for a two-day shutdown in the state demanding that Article 35A should not be scrapped.
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