New Delhi: Supreme Court of India today upheld the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, deeming it constitutionally valid.

While delivering the judgment, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud stated that Article 370 was intended for the constitutional integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union, not for disintegration. The President has the authority to declare that Article 370 ceases to exist.

The CJI also remarked, “We direct that steps shall be taken by the Election Commission of India to conduct elections to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir by 30 September 2024.”

PM Modi reacts to SC judgment on X

Reacting to the landmark SC judgment, Prime Minister Modi, in a tweet, said, “Today’s Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370 is historic and constitutionally upholds the decision taken by the Parliament of India on 5th August 2019; it is a resounding declaration of hope, progress and unity for our sisters and brothers in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The Court, in its profound wisdom, has fortified the very essence of unity that we, as Indians, hold dear and cherish above all else.

I want to assure the resilient people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh that our commitment to fulfilling your dreams remains unwavering. We are determined to ensure that the fruits of progress not only reach you but also extend their benefits to the most vulnerable and marginalised sections of our society who suffered due to Article 370.

The verdict today is not just a legal judgment; it is a beacon of hope, a promise of a brighter future and a testament to our collective resolve to build a stronger, more united India. #NayaJammuKashmir”

Today’s Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370 is historic and constitutionally upholds the decision taken by the Parliament of India on 5th August 2019; it is a resounding declaration of hope, progress and unity for our sisters and brothers in Jammu, Kashmir and…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2023

Union Home Minister Shah reacts to SC judgment on X

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had moved the bill in Parliament to abrogate Article 370 in 2019, reacted to the judgment and wrote on X, ” I welcome the Honorable Supreme Court of India’s verdict upholding the decision to abolish #Article370. On the 5th of August 2019, PM Narendra Modi Ji took a visionary decision to abrogate #Article370. Since then peace and normalcy have returned to J&K. Growth and development have brought new meaning to human life in the valley once torn by violence. Prosperity in the tourism and agriculture sectors has raised the income levels of the residents of both Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Today, the Supreme Court’s verdict has proved that the decision to abrogate #Article370 was completely constitutional.”

I welcome the Honorable Supreme Court of India’s verdict upholding the decision to abolish #Article370.

On the 5th of August 2019, PM @narendramodi Ji took a visionary decision to abrogate #Article370. Since then peace and normalcy have returned to J&K. Growth and development…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 11, 2023

HM Shah further added, “After the abrogation of #Article370, the rights of the poor and deprived have been restored, and separatism and stone pelting are now things of the past. The entire region now echoes with melodious music and cultural tourism. The bonds of unity have strengthened, and integrity with Bharat stands reinforced. It is once again the Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh that always belonged to our nation and will continue to be so. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji our government is committed to establishing lasting peace in J&K and Ladakh and the all-around development of the region. Whether it is boosting the local economy with new incentives, building state-of-the-art educational infrastructure, or empowering the poor with welfare benefits, we will continue to exert all our might for the region. #NayaJammuKashmir “

After the abrogation of #Article370, the rights of the poor and deprived have been restored, and separatism and stone pelting are now things of the past. The entire region now echoes with melodious music and cultural tourism. The bonds of unity have strengthened, and integrity…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 11, 2023

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who led the arguments before the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court while defending the constitutional process of abrogation, stated in a statement, “5th August 2019, and today’s date will go down in the history of India when a Himalayan constitutional blunder of the past, with gigantic proportion is ultimately corrected by the government.

Being the only lawyer involved in the process of abrogation of Article 370 through constitutional and legal means before 5th August 2019, and having led the argument before the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court while defending the constitutional process, it is a historical day for me too.”

“It is only the iron wheel of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the resolute decisiveness and brillant strategy of our Home Minister Shri Amit Shah ji, which made this historical decision possible. The nation will ever remain indebted to them,” the statement added.

The Solicitor General also stated, “The judicial adjudication by the Hon’ble Supreme Court is equally historical and rare. A five-judge Constitution bench decided the matter, which consisted of all the five senior judges, viz., Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Justice S.K. Kaul, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Bhushan R. Gavai, and Justice Surya Kant… The highest court of the country. The most powerful court in the world has stood by the constitutional values and has secured to all the residents of Jammu and Kashmir their legitimate rights, which they were deprived of since independence, while taking care of the democratic elections also.”

“Having extensively read the history behind insertion of Article 370 into our constitution, I can confidently say that the soul of Sardar Patel will be fully contented today as the provision which he could not prevent from being inserted in the Constitution of India has finally gone. He must be showering his blessing upon Narendra Modi ji and Shree Amit Shah ji,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta added.