Sensing a growing unease in Kashmir about dangers of annulment of Article 35A of the constitution, Governor N N Vohra has requested New Delhi to have the hearing of a case about the provision in Supreme Court deferred until an elected government is in place in Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir Post has learnt.
Amid intensifying resolve across the political spectrum in Kashmir for protection of Article 35A, Vohra has discussed the matter with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and conveyed to him that the case should not be heard during Governor’s rule.
“He has conveyed to the Centre that it should get hearing deferred till elected government is in place,” a top source revealed to Kashmir Post.
The official source also disclosed that there have been certain discussions in New Delhi over the issue in the past few days.
“The Centre as well as state government can make a request to the Supreme Court to adjourn the case because there is no democratically elected government in the state,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Vohra has taken up issue with New Delhi, amid growing fears and apprehensions in the state over the fate of Article 35A that allows the state legislature to define permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and confer special rights and privileges on them.
The special provision was added to the Constitution of India through a presidential order on May 14, 1954.
Over the past two weeks, different civil society groups have urged the Governor to get the hearing deferred till democratically elected government is in place in the state.
“We request the Governor to ask the Advocate General and others representing the state before the Apex Court to get the matter deferred till a democratically elected government is in place and in a position to put forth its stand on the issue,” Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC), a prominent civil society group said on Friday in a statement.
A number of political parties have also made similar appeals to the Governor.
During the past four years, a number of little-known organisations have approached the Apex Court, seeking annulment of the constitutional provision.
Governor N N Vohra seeks deferment of Article 35A case
