‘Terrorists have won if act of terror allowed to dictate constitutional debate': Valley leaders react to SC observation on J-K statehood
'SC's reference to (the) recent Pahalgam terror attack in the context of granting statehood to Jammu and Kashmir underscores a deeper issue about GoI's continued lack of confidence in the region's stability. Even after revoking J&K's special status & reducing it to a Union Territory, the Centre appears unwilling to ease its tight control. This reflects a deeper political and psychological deadlock,' former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said.
'PDP maintains that the Jammu and Kashmir issue goes far beyond questions of statehood or constitutional status. Unless New Delhi engages with the political aspirations of the people and addresses the core issue head-on it will remain on uncertain footing regardless of the force it deploys. It is time GoI corrects past missteps & initiates a sincere process of dialogue and reconciliation to bring lasting peace and dignity to the region,' she said.
PDP leader and Pulwama legislator Waheed Para said there is no legal or empirical basis to claim that keeping J&K a Union Territory would defeat terrorism.
'If a terror act is allowed to dictate India's highest constitutional debate, the terrorists have already won. Why should the people of J&K—law-abiding citizens who have upheld the Constitution—be denied equality with every other Indian because of a neighbouring state's actions? Constitutional rights cannot be contingent on Pakistan's conduct,' he said, adding, 'Denying statehood on that basis outsources Indian sovereignty to those who seek to undermine it. There is no legal or empirical basis to claim that keeping J&K a Union Territory will defeat terrorism; what it will erode is the federal structure, the principle of equal treatment, and the very core of representative democracy.'
The Supreme Court on Thursday told applicants seeking statehood for Jammu and Kashmir that the ground realities, including what happened in Pahalgam, cannot be ignored.
'You also have to take into consideration ground realities…You can't ignore what has happened in Pahalgam,' Chief Justice B R Gavai said, referring to the April 22 terror attack in which 25 tourists and a local pony rider were killed.
Justice K Vinod Chandran of the bench observed that they 'do not have the expertise' and the decision of statehood is 'for the executive and Parliament to decide.'
National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq termed the apex court observation 'very disappointing'.
'This observation is very unfortunate,' Sadiq told The Indian Express. 'The fact is that the (Pahalgam) incident happened even though we didn't have a statehood and the law and order was with the Centre. Why should the people of Jammu and Kashmir suffer for this. The people responsible should be taken to task, and not the people of Jammu and Kashmir.'
Sadiq said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will 'answer a lot many questions that he has not in the last seven months'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
34 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
SC cancels Darshan's bail; actor, main accused held
Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa was arrested in Bengaluru on Thursday, just hours after the Supreme Court cancelled the bail granted to him by the Karnataka high court in the Renukaswamy murder case. Police took him into custody near his Hosakerehalli residence soon after he returned to the city from an outstation trip. Police arrest actor Pavitra Gowda from her residence after the Supreme Court cancelled the bail granted to her by the High Court in the Renukaswamy murder case, in Bengaluru on Thursday. (ANI) The apex court's order also covered Darshan's associate Pavithra Gowda and five other accused, all of whom were arrested and will be produced before the trial court in Bengaluru, police said. According to police, Gowda was picked up earlier in the day by the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police. Pradoosh S Rao, Lakshman M, and Nagaraj are among those detained. While cancelling the bail to the actor, a bench of justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said, 'Granting leniency to such persons despite grave charges of conspiracy and murder sends the wrong message to society and undermines public confidence in the justice system.' In a democracy governed by the rule of law, the bench said, 'no individual is exempt from legal accountability by virtue of status or social capital'. In the present case, it said, 'By treating A2's (Darshan) stature as a mitigating factor, the high court committed a manifest perversity in the exercise of its discretion, thereby warranting cancellation of bail.' Police officers said a copy of the Supreme Court order was submitted to the trial court to secure arrest warrants for all the accused before their remand to judicial custody. The order follows a special leave petition filed by the state government challenging the high court's decision in December 2024 to grant bail to the accused. Darshan, who had been away when news of the court's decision reached him, was contacted by police and asked to appear before investigators. He complied, arriving in a luxury SUV before switching to another vehicle to avoid the media assembled outside his apartment. He entered the premises through the back door. The murder case, began with Darshan's arrest in June 2024. Police allege he orchestrated the killing of Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, after the victim allegedly stalked and abused Gowda on social media. The actor was detained on June 11, 2024, in Mysuru while filming The Devil and was held in custody for 131 days. He was released on interim bail in October and granted regular bail in December. With the latest court order, Darshan is expected to be shifted to the Ballari Central Prison. He was previously housed there after being moved from the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison when images emerged of him smoking and mingling with high-profile inmates. Following that episode, Ballari prison authorities heightened security measures, including raising the perimeter wall to 25 feet and preparing a secure cell. The measures were taken after fans breached prison boundaries during his earlier detention, police officers said. The Supreme Court's decision comes a day before the scheduled release of the first song from The Devil. The film's team had announced on August 10 that the track 'Idre Nemdiyaag Irbek' (You should live in peace) would be released on Independence Day morning, an event now likely to be overshadowed by the arrest. For Renukaswamy's family, Thursday's ruling was a moment of relief. His father, Shivanagouda, welcomed the decision. 'Darshan's bail has been cancelled. There is an order to arrest him. This brings our faith back…The Supreme Court order reinstates the belief that no one can escape the law,' he said. Chief minister Siddaramaiah's legal advisor AS Ponnanna said the verdict would strengthen the prosecution's case. 'We had feared that the investigation would be hampered because Darshan was out on bail. There was a possibility that he could influence the witnesses while he was out. However, now all these challenges will be resolved with the order given by the Supreme Court,' he said. Soon after the court's order was received on Thursday morning, senior police officials briefed home minister G Parameshwara at the Vidhana Soudha. 'The law is the same for everyone. No one is above the law in the country. Everyone should respect the law of the land. The accused have the opportunity to fight for justice further, and that is also allowed by the law,' Parameshwara said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Turning Noida into metropolitan council will need change in law
Noida: Were UP govt to consider a structural makeover for replacing Noida Authority with a metropolitan council, as the Supreme Court has directed it to do, it would have to bring in an amendment to the UP Industrial Area Development Act, 1976, under which New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida) was created. Such a change will, however, be complex and protracted, requiring extensive consultations and hinge largely on the state's political will, former officials said. Supreme Court on Wednesday asked UP govt to consider replacing the industrial development authority with a metropolitan council for people-centric governance. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida | Gold Rates Today in Noida | Silver Rates Today in Noida The direction was based on findings of an SC-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT), which delivered a stinging report into the Authority's functioning, flagging, among other things, decision-making centralised in the hands of a few officers, land allotment policies favouring builders and a lack of transparency. The SIT, led by IPS officer SB Shiradkar, found Noida officers involved in 20 cases of excess compensation to landowners and recommended a probe into the assets of officials and their relatives. It also found the absence of processes for public consultation and environmental impact assessments, along with delays and inadequate grievance redressal. Accepting the recommendations, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed the UP chief secretary to place the proposal for converting Noida into a metropolitan council before the council of ministers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The 5 Books Warren Buffett Recommends You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Until a decision is taken, the court ordered the appointment of a chief vigilance officer in Noida, to be an IPS officer or a CAG officer on deputation, for financial audit. The bench also ordered the formation of a Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) within four weeks and banned the implementation of any project in Noida without environmental clearance from the SC's green bench. Under the 1970 Act, UP govt is empowered to nominate five members to the Noida Authority's board, a provision that allows direct citizen representation. However, over the successive years, none of the industrial development authorities in the state has implemented it. Deodatta Sharma, chairman and CEO of Noida Authority between 2004-2005, told TOI that Noida Authority was originally formed in 1976 to shift industries from Delhi and decongest the capital. "However, over the years, Noida evolved into more of a residential and commercial hub. Currently, all land under the Noida Authority is on lease, and it charges lease rent either annually or for the full tenure to maintain and develop infrastructure for the city," Sharma said. "With the SC expressing concern over transparency and public participation, the state can get a study done to identify the best practices worldwide and incorporate them here," Sharma added. Brijesh Kumar, who also served as CEO of Noida Authority for a short period, said while the state or the Noida Authority board can form a citizen advisory board through an administrative order, setting up a metropolitan council would require amendments to Industrial Area Act. In the early 2000s, he said, Greater Noida had set up a neighbourhood council for CEOs to interact with residents for suggestions and feedback. "The practice, however, did not last for long," he said. Kumar said it is for the state to decide how much administrative or financial power such a council can enjoy. "The industrial authorities, being autonomous, can retain core operations, but such a council could bring more public participation," Kumar, also a former chairman and CEO of Greater Noida (1998-2002), added. Between 1966 and 1990, Delhi metropolitan council had functioned as the deliberative wing of the Delhi administration, with positions such as leader of the house, leader of the opposition, whips, and presiding officers, but without full legislative powers. Alok Singh of Active Citizen Forum, residents have long been demanding representation on the Authority's board. "Citizens are never consulted on what the city needs. Instead, projects are imposed on us, many of which prove useless. Residents are connected to the ground and know the city's needs better." Since 2022, the forum has written to the Greater Noida Authority on several occasions seeking an authority-citizen committee and urged that the model be adopted by all industrial authorities in the state. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Op Sindoor a sign India no longer bound by traditional borders: Rajnath
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said Operation Sindoor was a balanced military response that signalled India is no longer bound by traditional boundaries, but is using modern technology, accurate intelligence and smart military strategies to target terrorism. The success of Operation Sindoor will be celebrated at the Independence Day function at Red Fort on Friday. (PTI) 'It was a clear message from India that we are tolerant, but when it comes to the safety of our people and the dignity of our country, we unite and face every challenge boldly. Operation Sindoor is a part of India's new policy, a clear message that no matter how deep the roots of terrorism are, its complete destruction will be ensured,' Singh said in a message to soldiers on the eve of the country's 79th Independence Day. The success of Operation Sindoor will be celebrated at the Independence Day function at Red Fort on Friday, three months after Indian forces hit terror and military targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. A Mi-17 helicopter will fly a flag depicting Operation Sindoor, the invitation cards carry the operation's distinct logo, the view cutter at Gyanpath will also showcase the logo, and the floral decoration will be based on the operation. Operation Sindoor will continue until the goal of complete destruction of terrorism is achieved, Singh said, on a day the government announced gallantry awards for soldiers who took part in the operation. Singh described India's actions during the operation as 'a shining example of a precise and successful military strategy, and a glimpse of a new vision, technological advancements and self-reliance.' India launched the operation in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam terror strike. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire on May 10 evening, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing at least 100 terrorists, and the Indian Air Force struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. India, Singh said, successfully utilised cutting-edge apparatus such as drones, layered air defence, electronic warfare and network-centric operations, and proved that it is no longer dependent on foreign technology. The operation has taken India's military self-reliance to a greater height, he said. Talking about the balanced strategy of Operation Sindoor, Singh said within a few minutes (on May 7), nine terror training camps, including the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, were destroyed by precise missile attacks, and no civilian areas and Pakistani military establishments were targeted. The Indian armed forces, he said, neither crossed the Line of Control nor violated the international border, yet managed to deliver a crushing blow to the terror infrastructure hidden inside the enemy's territory. Singh added that with Operation Sindoor, the armed forces not only avenged the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam, but also the strikes on Parliament House, in Mumbai and on Amarnath pilgrims in the past.
