Jammu and Kashmir Statehood Dilemma: Fresh Elections or Legal Transition?

Jammu and Kashmir Statehood Dilemma: Fresh Elections or Legal Transition?

Between a Ballot and the Books of Law By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 25 June 2025 As Jammu and Kashmir inches closer to regaining its statehood status, a fundamental debate has emerged: Should fresh elections be held once the region transitions from a Union Territory (UT) to a state? Or is the existing 90-member Legislative Assembly, formed under the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, sufficient to serve as the legitimate state assembly? The question is more than procedural—it cuts to the core of democratic legitimacy, constitutional interpretation, and political strategy.…

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Bharat Vs India: What’s in a Name? Omar Abdullah Weighs In

Bharat Vs India: What's in a Name? Omar Abdullah Weighs In

Can call country Bharat, Hindustan or India: Omar on RSS leader’s remark Asserting that this country is known by its three names — Bharat, India and Hindustan — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said citizens may call it by any name that resonates with them. Responding to a question on the comments made by RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who insisted at a function that if the country’s name is Bharat, it should exclusively be called that, Abdullah said, “We call it Bharat. We call it…

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SC Cites Differences Between J&K Constitution and Indian Constitution During Article 370 Hearing

SC Cites Differences Between J&K Constitution and Indian Constitution During Article 370 Hearing

Article 370, which bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, was not a repository of untrammelled power but a medium through which the Constitution would apply to the state, the Supreme Court was told on Wednesday. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was told by senior advocate Gopal Subramanium, appearing for petitioner Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, that the Jammu and Kashmir constituent assembly did not want to abrogate Article 370 and instead permitted its continuance. Mr Khan has challenged the two constitutional orders…

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