India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stripped occupied Kashmir of its special status by repealing Article 370 of the constitution in 2019. The move gave people in the rest of the country the right to own property and live permanently in occupied Kashmir.
Section 370 limited the powers of the Indian Parliament to enforce laws within states, except in matters of national defense, foreign policy and communications.
Kashmiris, international organizations, and critics of the Hindu nationalist-led Indian government see the move as an attempt to dilute the population of Muslim-majority Kashmir with Hindu settlers. explains that. Indian Express reports that a five-member tribunal headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud of India heard the petition and decided in August 2019 to repeal Section 370 by the Indian government. challenged the constitutional validity of
“Hearing to commence on August 2 at 10:30 am and then proceed on a day-to-day basis,” the report quoted the Indian apex court as saying.
It stated that the Indian government had a day earlier submitted an affidavit in the court, saying that it had “brought unprecedented development, progress, security and stability to the region, which was often missing during the old Article 370 regime” and that it was a “testament to the fact that Parliamentary wisdom…” was “exercised prudently”.
However during the hearing today, Justice Chandrachud said the “Centre’s latest affidavit regarding the present status of occupied Kashmir with it’s special status revoked,would not have any bearing on the constitutional issues raised in the petition and it shall not be relied upon for that purpose”, The Indian Express said.
Separately,Indian news agency ANI reported that the court had appointed two advocates as “nodal counsels for the preparation of common convenience compilations of documents”, it quoted.
Commenting on the hearings, former prime minister of occupied Kashmir Omar Abdullah said today’s trial was “only the beginning”.
“I hope the hearing will end soon and the Supreme Court’s decision will come out soon,” he told ANI.
