Article 35A: Deferment of hearing is not a solution, says Mehbooba Mufti

The Supreme Court today adjourned hearing on a petition that challenged Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar, Aug 6: With the Supreme Court saying that it would examine whether Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir violates the basic structure of the Constitution, former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that the matter reaching the doorstep of the apex court "has unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic" among the people of the state.

She said that the Supreme Court's decision to adjourn the hearing on a petition that challenged Article 35A has "brought interim relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir", adding, "the deferment of hearing on Article 35 A is not a solution".

The Supreme Court today adjourned hearing on a petition that challenged Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra said that it would examine whether Article 35A violates the basic structure of the Constitution.

The court while adjourning hearing on the matter said that it would consider the challenge to the article as we as whether it should be referred to a five judge Bench or not. This challenge to the article has come after 60 years, the Bench said.

The Bench was appraised of the situation in the Valley ahead of the hearing. The Bench said that before every hearing there is a shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir. We will only see if this provision goes against the basic structure of the Constitution or not the SC also said.