Article 370 Verdict | Read Reactions Of Prime Minister, Home Minister And Solicitor General Of India

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court today upheld the abrogation of the special status of Jammu & Kashmir. Following reactions have come from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

"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"

The aforesaid reaction came as a post on social media (X). 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah

 "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 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. #NayaJammuKashmir"

The above post on X was followed by the following post:

"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 @narendramodi 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"

 Solicitor General Tushar Mehta

A release from the office of the Solicitor General reads as follows:

"5th August, 2019 and today's date will go down in the history of India when a himayalan constitutional blunder of the past with gigantic proportions 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 arguments 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 will of our Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji and resolute decisiveness and brilliant strategy of our Hon'ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shahji which made this historical decision possible. The nation will ever remain indebted to them. I have had the good fortune of witnessing and being a part of the entire process which exhibited their exemplary resolve coupled with the minute coordination of the smallest details and flawless and scientific stewardship of the parliamentary process and floor management inside the House. 

The judicial adjudication by the Hon'ble Supreme Court is also equally historical and rare. A five Judge Constitution Bench decided the matter which consisted of all first five senior-most 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. A historical bench presided by the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India also comprising of three future Chief Justices of India. All five are legendary judges who are undisputably intellectual giants. Very patient hearing given to all sides for more than three weeks. And today comes a judgment which will go down in the history of this great country exhibiting astounding scholarship, concern for rule of law and a visible concern for the fundamental rights of equality of every resident of J&K irrespective of religion, sex, caste or creed. 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 democratic election 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 contended 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 blessings upon Shri Narendra Modiji and Shri Amit Shahji. 

The speech of Shri Amit Shahji in Parliament is as historical as the Constituent Assembly debates and will go down in the history as one of the few statesmanly speeches while shaping the sovereignty of India in more than one ways."