Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD) Minister Satish on Thursday called for an immediate decision on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the announcement during his Independence Day address.
His remarks came shortly after the Supreme Court sought the Centre’s response within eight weeks on petitions demanding the return of statehood to J&K. “The matter may be outside our direct control, but why wait for eight weeks? Whatever is planned should be announced tomorrow by the Prime Minister himself,” Satish told reporters in Srinagar.
He emphasised that the Supreme Court’s observations should lead to a thorough review and the prompt restoration of the “rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the petitioners, argued that 21 months have passed since the court’s directive for assembly elections to be held by September 30 and for statehood to be restored “as soon as possible,” yet little progress has been made. Counsel for the former Chief Secretary of J&K backed the plea, while Sankaranarayanan urged that all related matters be listed together for clarity.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the application, calling it “not maintainable” and cautioning that “peculiar conditions emerge in this part of the country” during elections. He sought a hearing after eight weeks.
Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai, who headed the bench, noted, “Ground situations must be considered — you cannot ignore incidents like Pahalgam.” The Solicitor General maintained that steps toward restoring statehood are underway, but said the situation remains complex.(DD)