Defers it to August 31
NEW DELHI / SRINAGAR
The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of the new PIL against Article 35A of the Constitution that gives special status to the citizens of J&K.Petitioner Ashwani Upadhyay, who is also a spokesperson for the BJP, reportedly urged the apex court to avoid the hearing.
The Supreme Court will now hear the case on August 31.Ashwini Upadhyay’s petition stated that Article 35A violates the rights of the women of the state who married people from other states. Earlier this month, the SC deferred its hearing to today on the validity of Article 35-A that guarantees special privileges to J&K.
MEANWHILE authorities imposed a shutdown on Srinagar and some other parts of the Kashmir Valley following rumours that the Supreme Court has scrapped Article 35A, police said. J&K police issued a statement in Srinagar, saying: “Some sections of the media have circulated news regarding scrapping of Article 35A.The news has been refuted as baseless. People are requested to maintain calm and not to pay heed to these rumours.”As a precaution, shops, public transport and other businesses were shut.
Clashes between stone pelting protesters and the security forces were also reported in Anantnag district and other places.Petitions challenging Article 35A which gives powers to the state legislature to define permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and their privileges, has been listed for hearing by the Supreme Court on Friday.Reports from Delhi said a fresh petition seeking scrapping of the Article is being filed in the apex court on Monday which fuelled the rumours.Authorities have decreased the speed of mobile internet across the Valley. Separatists have called for a general shutdown on Friday and Saturday to highlight the public support for the Article