The Supreme Court of India has asked the Central government to file its response to a petition seeking a definite timeline for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The petition, filed by Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, urges the government to specify when it intends to reinstate the region’s statehood, which was revoked following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran heard the matter and observed that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir must be assessed in light of prevailing ground realities, including recent security incidents in areas such as Pahalgam. The judges noted that while the restoration of democratic processes is an important goal, it must also align with the broader context of peace and stability in the Union Territory.
The petitioners pointed out that despite the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered in December 2023—upholding the abrogation of Article 370 but directing that statehood be restored “at the earliest”—there has been little progress on that front. They contended that the absence of a clear timeline undermines the assurance given by the Union government before the Court.
Appearing for the Centre, the Solicitor General reiterated that the Union government remains committed to restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood once normalcy returns and administrative preparedness improves. However, he declined to specify a particular deadline for doing so.
The Bench directed the government to submit a detailed response within eight weeks and clarified that it would review the matter further once the Centre’s affidavit is filed. The Court underscored that the process of restoring statehood must be guided by constitutional principles, democratic values, and the prevailing conditions in the region.
This development marks another important step in the ongoing legal and political discussions surrounding the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir. The Supreme Court’s intervention reflects a continued effort to ensure that the commitment to restore full statehood, made at the time of the abrogation of Article 370, is implemented in a transparent and time-bound manner.
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