SC verdict on validity of Article 370 abrogation gets varied reactions in J-K
Srinagar/Jammu (PTI): The Supreme Court upholding the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 evoked varied reactions from political parties in Jammu and Kashmir with the National Conference vowing to continue its struggle while the BJP welcomed it and said the judgment will be honoured in "letter and spirit".
The ruling sparked a range of reactions, reflecting the complex and deeply held views on the issue.
As the apex court's Constitution bench finished delivering its verdict, National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah expressed his disappointment on X but vowed to continue the struggle.
The former chief minister of the erstwhile state acknowledged that it took the BJP decades to reach this point, emphasising their preparedness for the long haul.
"Dil na-umid to nahin nakam hi to hai, lambi hai gham ki shaam magar shaam hi to hai (I grieve but I do not despair, the dusk of sadness is long, but it's just a dusk, that's all)," the National Conference leader said.
J-K BJP chief Ravinder Raina welcomed the verdict, stating that they honour and respect it in letter and spirit. He reiterated the Centre's commitment to holding assembly elections and restoring statehood to J-K.
"We are proud of our country, Constitution and our judiciary. We respect and honour the judgment of the Supreme Court in true letter and spirit," Raina told PTI.
He said the Centre has made it clear it is ready to hold assembly elections but the decision has to be taken by the Election Commission.
Sunil Sethi, the J-K BJP's chief spokesperson, said it is better not to give a political colour to the judgment.
"This is a historic judgment as it puts to rest the questions raised on the complete integration of J-K," Sethi said.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, however, described the verdict as a "death sentence" not only for J-K but also for the idea of India.
She urged people not to lose hope, emphasising that the struggle in the region has been a political fight spanning decades.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad termed the verdict "sad and unfortunate".
He expressed disappointment that the sentiments of the people of J-K and the historical significance of Article 370 were not considered.
Peoples Conference chief Sajjad Lone found the verdict disappointing. He emphasised that while Article 370 may have been legally obliterated, it will remain a part of their political aspirations.
The displaced Kashmir Pandits welcomed the decision, saying it was a historic judgment to bury Article 370 once for all.
"It (verdict) has put to rest all the controversies surrounding it. We are happy about the decision," Chairman of Panun Kashmir Dr Ajay Chrungoo told PTI.
"In ruling in favour of the validity, the court eloquently dismantled the constitutional nuances surrounding Article 370," constitutional expert and editor of Epilogue News Network Tito Ganju said.
He said the verdict underscored the erosion of national sovereignty, glaring inequality among states, and the peril it posed to national integration.
Former general secretary of the All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference Dr TK Bhat said it is a red letter day for all the marginalised communities that have suffered for the past seven decades in Jammu and Kashmir due to Article 370.
The SOS International, an organisation representing the displaced population of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), welcomed the verdict, saying "there was nothing left in the act" over the years.
SOS International Chairperson Rajiv Chuni, however, wished that the apex court should have given a timeframe for the restoration of statehood instead of leaving it to the BJP-led central government.
Deepak Kapoor, who heads the PoJK Visthapit Sewa Samiti, welcomed the Supreme Court verdict and said the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 facilitated domicile certificates to 27,000 people settled in other parts of the country.
"They were all residents of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir but settled in different parts of the country after their migration in 1947. They were never given their due rights on the pretext of Article 370," he said.
Dogra scion Vikramaditya Singh welcomed the verdict as a "significant step" towards the complete integration of J-K into the Indian Union.
Singh, the grandson of the last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, called upon all stakeholders to work together towards building a peaceful and prosperous J-K.
The verdict also brought relief to West Pakistan refugees, Gorkhas and Valmikis.
Community members expressed gratitude to the central government, emphasising the finality of the decision endorsed by the Supreme Court.
Labha Ram Gandhi, the West Pakistan Refugees Action Committee chairman, emphasised that the fear of Article 370's return has now been dispelled.
"The scrapping of Article 370 was necessary for ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all residents of J-K, including West Pakistan refugees, Gorkhas, Valmikis and others," he said.
Gorkha leader Narayan Singh said, "With this verdict, our community will for the first time vote in assembly elections."
Valmiki Samaj leader Garu Bhatti said, "The abrogation of Article 370 came as a lifeline for our younger generations."
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'PM is scared of questions': Cong slams govt after IYC chief's arrest
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Indian Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib was arrested in connection with the shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit, saying the PM is "scared" of dissent and questions being asked of him.
Chib was arrested by Delhi Police in connection with the shirtless protest staged by a group of youth wing members at the AI Impact Summit here last week, officials said on Tuesday.
Police have also stepped up security across key locations in the capital in anticipation of possible protests following Chib's arrest, which took the total number of people held in the case to eight.
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Asked about Chib's arrest, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera told PTI Videos, "It is the duty of the opposition to protest in a democracy but a dictator will never understand this."
"If you hear the speech of that dictator in Meerut recently you will get to know that the word democracy does not exist in his dictionary," Khera said, in a swipe at the prime minister.
Chib as well as other colleagues are being arrested from various parts of the country, Khera, who is in Bhopal for the party's Kisan Maha Chaupal against the India-US interim trade deal, said,
"This shows that Narendra Modi is scared of dissent and questions being asked of him. Narendra Modi is emerging as the most cowardly Prime Minister in the world. He is being blackmailed, he is a coward, he is scared," Khera alleged.
"It has been the Congress' history that no matter how much oppression we face, we will continue to raise issues of the people and will keep fighting with 'Ahimsa'," he said.
Police had earlier arrested seven Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers, including three from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, for the protest at the Bharat Mandapam last Friday. They have been identified as Jitendra Yadav, Raj Gujjar and Ajay Kumar.
In addition, IYC's Uttar Pradesh general secretary Ritik alias Monty Shukla has been detained from Lalitpur in the state.
Senior officers said additional force has been deployed at the sensitive points, particularly in New Delhi, a hotspot for political demonstrations.
Security has been tightened around the Tilak Marg police station, where Chib is presently held, while barricades have been put up at the strategic points, with anti-riot teams on standby.
Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and additional companies of paramilitary forces have also been placed on alert to respond to any law and order situation, officials said.
Senior officers have directed the field staff to ensure that traffic movement remains smooth.
On Friday, a group of IYC workers staged a dramatic protest inside Hall No. 5 of the summit venue by removing their shirts to reveal T-shirts printed with slogans against the government and the India-US interim trade deal, before being whisked away by security personnel.
Police said the accused had registered online and obtained QR codes to gain entry into the venue.
The incident triggered a political slugfest, with the BJP calling it a "shameful act to tarnish India's image on the global stage", and the IYC defending it as a "peaceful" demonstration aimed at safeguarding national interests.
VIDEO | Delhi: On arrest of Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with 'shirtless' protest staged by a group of IYC members at the AI Impact Summit last week, Congress leader Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) says, "Protesting is the duty and responsibility of the… pic.twitter.com/2MOujnPDLX
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 24, 2026
