J&K Governor To Ask Supreme Court To Put Off Article 35A Hearing

Srinagar: In an interview to Hindustan Times, Jammu & Kashmir’s new governor Satya Pal Malik — who is the administrative head of the state which has been under Governor’s Rule since the fall of the BJP-PDP government in June — said the administration would tell the top court that the views of the state’s people can only be represented by an elected government.

Malik said that even in the case of Article 370 of the Constitution which gives significant autonomy of the state “there are sentiments involved and I think a decision on such issues could be best deferred”.

Since August 1, there have been intermittent protests in the state against any change in Article 35A and Article 370 with the state’s main regional mainstream parties such as the National Conference and the PDP also hitting the streets and warning of a deterioration of the situation in the state if any changes are made to either article.

Senior Congress leaders in the state have also warned of a massive agitation if Article 35A is altered in any way. (HT)