SC may hear J\&K statehood plea on Aug 8.
passionate socio-political activist known for advocating grassroots democracy. Both petitioners have urged the Supreme Court to consider the emotional and constitutional importance of restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting the aspirations of its people.
SC Likely to Hear Plea on Restoration of J\&K Statehood on August 8
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India is expected to hear a significant petition on August 8, seeking urgent directions to the Centre for restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir — a region that has witnessed immense political, constitutional, and emotional upheaval over the past few years.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan brought the matter to the attention of a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran on Tuesday. Emphasising the importance of the case, he urged the bench to ensure the hearing scheduled for August 8 is not deferred. Let it not be deleted,” he submitted, underlining the urgency felt by the petitioners.
The application, filed by Zahoor Ahmad Bhat — an academician — and Khurshaid Ahmad Malik — a socio-political activist — reflects deep-seated concerns about the democratic and constitutional future of Jammu and Kashmir. Both petitioners have been long associated with public causes in the region and are viewed by many as voices of conscience.
In their plea, they argue that the delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is not just a political question but a constitutional one that affects the democratic will of millions. forms part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India,” the application stated.
While endorsing the Centre’s decision, the apex court also directed that Assembly elections be held in the Union Territory by September 2024, and that its statehood be restored “at the earliest.”
state of uncertainty. Bhat and Malik’s petition reflects this growing sentiment — a mix of constitutional concern and human anguish.
“Jammu and Kashmir, being an individual state which has gone through many struggles and hardship, requires a strong federal structure to help in developing the area and also celebrating its unique culture,” the plea stated. The region, they argue, cannot be treated as a permanent Union Territory; instead, it deserves full-fledged statehood with all democratic institutions intact.
The petition goes beyond legal technicalities. It speaks of an emotional disconnection that people in the region have been feeling ever since the revocation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two The demand for statehood, according to the petitioners, is not merely about political power, but about dignity, representation, and healing old wounds.
In its 2023 verdict, the Supreme Court had noted that Article 370 was always intended to be a temporary provision, inserted in the Constitution in 1949, with the understanding that it could be revoked once the Constituent Assembly of the erstwhile state ceased to exist — which it did in 1957. On that basis, the court upheld the presidential orders and legislative steps taken by the Centre in August 2019.
Yet, the court had also underscored the importance of democratic restoration. It directed the Election Commission and the Union Government to ensure that Assembly elections be conducted in Jammu and Kashmir by September 2024. It also added that the restoration of statehood should not be indefinitely postponed, suggesting that such an interim Union Territory status should not become the new normal.
Now, as the petitioners await the court’s intervention once again, their plea resonates with a large section of the people in Jammu and Kashmir who seek a return to normalcy, political accountability, and a reaffirmation of their constitutional rights.
The August 8 hearing is likely to bring these concerns to the forefront once more. Whether the court sets a definitive direction for the government remains to be seen. But for Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, and many others, this case is not just a legal battle — it’s a step toward reclaiming identity, dignity, and democratic self-expression in one of the most sensitive and storied regions of the country.