Govt seeks adjournment of Article 35-A hearing for smooth conduct of Panchayat Elections

Bilal Bashir Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 29 (Only Kashmir): Ahead of two days proposed hearing on Article 35 A the Jammu and Kashmir State government has appealed Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss the plea for the smooth conduct of forthcoming Panchayat and Municipal Elections.
In a letter to register Supreme Court of India Advocate Shoeb Alam, Standing Counsel for the state of Jammu and Kashmir at SC has appealed the bench comprises of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, D Y Chandrachud and Justice A M Khanwilkar to adjourn the plea on account of Panchayat and Municipal Elections.
“The undersigned will be seeking an adjournment in Article 35 A case….on account of preprations for the upcoming Panchayat/Urban and Municipal Elctions,” reads a the plea circulated by Advocate Shoeb Alam.
The leadership of the Joint Resistance, an amalgam of separatist outfits, have given a shutdown call across Kashmir on August 30 and 31 to mark protests against any attempt to abrogate Article 35A.



The debate with respect to the constitutionality of Article 35A started after an NGO ‘We The Citizens’ filed a petition in the Supreme Court in 2014, saying the provision was only supposed to be a temporary one.
Earlier, cutting across the ideological lines, all the political, religious, social and traders organizations have called for public uprising to in case there is some ‘trampling’ with the Article 35 A with gives Jammu and Kashmir state a special status. The Hurriyat had asked its constituent parties to gear up for the agitation if situation arises.
Not only the Kashmir based political personalities and organizations, several prominent faces including politicians and activists have warned of consequences.
Meanwhile soon after the news that Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of case came into limelight the people of Kashmir breathed a sigh of relief.
On Monday 27th August, at least 12 people were injured in clashes that broke out in several parts of Kashmir Valley on Monday morning following rumours about the scrapping of Article 35A.
Perinently, officials say Panchayat elections will also be held on the pattern of 2011 but the number of wards is expected to increase. The elections could not be held in 2016 and 2017 due to unrest and political uncertainty in Kashmir valley. (OK)