Srinagar: Ahead of the Supreme Court’s verdict on December 11 on a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special privileges to Jammu and Kashmir, former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed hope that the apex court will deliver its judgment in favor of the people of the territory.
"Tomorrow when the verdict will come, we will get to know if it is in the interest of the Kashmiri people or against their interest. We have been waiting for more than 4 years...Supreme Court has heard the matter...we're waiting for justice. We have full faith in the Supreme Court,” Azad was quoted as saying by media reports.
He also stated that only two institutions can return articles 370 and 35 A to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including Parliament and the Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court bench is non-partisan, and we hope that it will give a decision in favor of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Azad told reporters, as quoted by media. Azad, who formed the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) after parting his ways with Congress said that irrespective of religion or ethnicity, people of Jammu and Kashmir have an emotional attachment to the special provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution that were repealed four years ago.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are attached to Article 370 and Article 35A, not politically but emotionally. It is important that these (provisions) are restored for securing our present and future," he said. Earlier on September 5, a constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud reserved its judgment on a batch of petitions challenging the central government’s decision to revoke Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into two union territories.
The government announced the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act was passed, dividing the erstwhile state into two Union Territories. Special rights and privileges have been granted to the people of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 since 1954, under the Instrument of Accession.
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