Ahead of Article 370 verdict, little hope more despair in J&K

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed hope on Sunday that the Supreme Court will deliver a verdict in favour of the people here on a bunch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019.

“I have said it earlier...there are only two [institutions] that can return Articles 370 and 35A to the people of Jammu and Kashmir — Parliament and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Bench is non-partisan and we hope that it will give a decision in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mr. Azad told reporters here.

Mr. Azad, who floated the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) after parting ways with the Congress, said he cannot foresee Parliament reversing the decisions taken on August 5, 2019 as it would require a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.