'Reflects Political Deadlock': Mehbooba Mufti, Others React To SC's Stance On J&K's Statehood Row

Last Updated:August 14, 2025, 12:44 IST

SC asked the central government to respond to J&K's statehood petition after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Mehbooba Mufti criticized the delay as political deadlock.

SC Heard Plea for Restoring Jammu & Kashmir Statehood (Credits: PTI Photo)

Leaders are reacting sharply after Supreme Court sought the central government’s response Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood petition. A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran heard the plea and remarked that the situation in J&K cannot be overlooked and cited the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

“You cannot ignore what happened in Pahalgam… It is for Parliament and the Executive to take a decision," the CJI said when senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for Bhat, sought an early hearing.

The apex court adjourned the matter for eight weeks and asked the government to submit response meanwhile. This comes after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, opposed the plea and asked for eight weeks.

Mehbooba Mufti Reacts To SC’s Response

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti reacted to SC’s response and said “this reflects a deeper political and psychological deadlock." “SC’s reference to recent Pahalgam terror attack in the context of granting statehood to Jammu and Kashmir underscores a deeper issue about GOIs continued lack of confidence in the region’s stability. Even after revoking J&K’s special status & reducing it to a Union Territory, the Centre appears unwilling to ease its tight control. This reflects a deeper political and psychological deadlock," she said.

PDP leader Iltija Mufti reacted to the statement and said, “By invoking Pahalgam terror attack Supreme Court has given an alibi to GOI to delay restoration of J&Ks statehood. Seems like they don’t want to lose the iron grip anytime soon."

On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the revocation of Article 370, which accorded a special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, even as it ordered that assembly elections be held in the union territory by September 2024 and its statehood be restored “at the earliest".

Last year, a plea was filed in the top court seeking directions to the Centre for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir within two months.

News politics 'Reflects Political Deadlock': Mehbooba Mufti, Others React To SC's Stance On J&K's Statehood Row

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