'Democracy, Not Autocracy': Congress Welcomes SC Verdict On J-K Statehood, 'Disagrees' On Art 370

The Congress demanded immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir following the Supreme Court's Article 370 verdict, urging prompt assembly elections.

The Congress party on Sunday called for the swift reinstatement of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, following the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold the Centre's abrogation of Article 370. The party leaders, P Chidambaram and Abhishek Singhvi, demanded immediate assembly elections in the region, allowing people to choose their government without delay.

In response to the Supreme Court's verdict, which directed the restoration of statehood and called for assembly elections by September 30 next year, Chidambaram expressed the party's position, stating, "The judgement needs a careful study. Prima facie, we respectfully disagree with the judgement on the manner in which Article 370 was abrogated", as quoted by news agency PTI.

Congress leaders, P Chidambaram and Abhishek Singhvi, addressed the media in a joint press conference, expressing their views on the Supreme Court's judgment. Chidambaram stated, "The judgment of the Supreme Court in cases concerning the abrogation of Article 370 has decided many issues but has left some." He added, "We welcome the SC verdict for the restoration of full statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, and we believe elections should be held immediately and there is no reason to wait till September 30, 2024."

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Highlighting the significance of elections, Chidambaram noted, "When elections are held, the people of J&K will have the opportunity to express their views on the crucial questions that we debated in the SC. An opportunity that has been denied to them so far", PTI reported.

Expressing disappointment in the Supreme Court's decision not to address the question of dismembering the state and reducing its status to two union territories, Chidambaram remarked, "That question is being reserved for adjudication in a suitable case in the future."

Abhishek Singhvi reiterated the Congress stance, stating, "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?"

The Congress leaders' remarks come after a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, delivered three concurring judgements upholding the abrogation of the Constitutional schemes that provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir since its annexation to the Union of India in 1947.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict, stating, "The Supreme Court verdict is a resounding declaration of hope, progress, unity for our sisters and brothers in J&K, Ladakh."