As the nation anticipates the Supreme Court’s verdict on the petitions challenging alterations to Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, slated to be announced on Monday, the potential reverberations of the judgment loom over decisions made by the Centre in the past four years.
Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Union and limited the legislative powers of the Centre in the region, has been a focal point of debate. The provision endowed the state legislature with special powers to formulate its own constitution, a unique arrangement in the constitutional framework.
Security concerns are paramount, especially in the Kashmir region, as the verdict date approaches. A senior police officer assured the public on December 10 that comprehensive security measures have been put in place to maintain a peaceful atmosphere. The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgment on December 11, addressing petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre in August 2019.
The five-judge bench of the apex court had reserved its verdict on September 5 after conducting daily hearings on the matter since August 2. “We are taking all precautions and will ensure that peace is not disturbed in Kashmir,” stated Mr. Birdi, a senior police official, who has conducted security review meetings across the 10 valley districts over the past two weeks.
In light of potential unrest, authorities have invoked section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to regulate the misuse of social media. The move is seen as a preventive measure to curb the spread of content that is communally sensitive, promotes terrorism, or encourages secessionism.
Mr. Birdi addressed concerns about the correlation between the social media restrictions and the expected Supreme Court judgment, stating, “There have been several posts recently in which there were attempts to provoke people. Action has been taken against such elements in the past, and action will be taken in the future as well.”
Authorities have issued guidelines for social media users under CrPC section 144, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining public order and curbing any attempts to exploit digital platforms for activities that could threaten peace and security in the region.
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s decision, the careful balance between security measures and the protection of constitutional rights remains a critical aspect of the evolving narrative surrounding the changes to Article 370.
