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J&K: Ex defence officers and bureaucrats petition SC against Govt move on Art 370

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J&K: Ex defence officers and bureaucrats petition SC against Govt move on Art 370

A group of retried defence personnel and bureaucrats have moved the Supreme Court challenging the Presidential orders through which the special status granted to J&K was revoked and the state bifurcated into two Union territories.

This is the seventh petition filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Centre’s revocation of J&K’s special status under Article 370. Earlier, six other petitions have already been filed and are still pending before the apex court.

The petitioners include Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak, Major Gen (Retd) Ashok Mehta, former civil servants Hindal Haidar Tyabji, Amitabha Pande, Gopal K Pillai and Radha Kumar – one of the interlocuters appointed by the Home Ministry in 2010, according to media reports.

The petition was drawn by advocates Arjun Krishnan, Kaustubh Singh and Rajalakshmi Singh and settled by Senior Advocate Prashanto Sen, said reports.

“The petitioner has stated that the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir, though an integrated part of India, enjoyed a special autonomous status which was concretized in Article 370 of the Constitution of India.”, the report says.

Alleging violation of the principles of federalism, the petition says that the Union government has undermined the basic principles of democracy by its action “without ascertaining the will of the people either through its elected government or legislature or through public means such as referenda”, the report said.

Also Read: J&K: Some schools reopen – teachers come, students stay away

As per the order, Article 370 “shall cease to operate only from such date as the President may by public notification declare”. This cannot be done under the proviso to Article 370(3) unless there is a recommendation of the Constituent Assembly of the State to do so.

It pointed out that a Constituent Assembly is “completely different” from a Legislative Assembly, adding, “Even if such an interpretation that Constituent Assembly is equivalent to Legislative Assembly is possible, the reference to “legislative assembly” must necessarily be to the elected representatives of the people of the state based on adult franchise in a free and fair election.”

Questioning why the Assembly elections were not held as these changes could have been debated in the House, the petition pointed out that there is no reason this could not have been done, as J&K had just witnessed Lok Sabha elections, as also panchayat and civic elections earlier.

Thus, according to the petitioners, the method of altering Article 370 by purporting to apply Article 367 with modifications to the State of Jammu and Kashmir is nothing but a fraud on the Constitution.

The petitioners have therefore sought the quashing of the Presidential order as well as the Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Act, 2019.

India News

Satellite images reveal extensive construction of launch pads and bunkers near Chinese nuclear missile silos

Satellite images show that Beijing is constructing a vast web of over 80 launch pads, command bunkers, and electronic warfare facilities to protect its longest-range nuclear missiles in a remote desert complex.

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A vast military complex is rapidly taking shape in a remote Chinese desert, raising significant attention among security scholars. Freshly analyzed satellite images indicate that Beijing is building an expansive network of launch pads, bunkers, and communications nodes. This critical infrastructure is positioned near isolated nuclear silos that house the Chinese military’s longest-range missiles, which are already capable of reaching any city in the United States.

Media reports indicate that the scale of this newly discovered construction points to a sweeping expansion of hardened infrastructure. The entire network is specifically designed to protect and operate China’s land-based nuclear forces. This massive buildup signals a major upgrade in efforts to secure a resilient second-strike capability, highlighting the intensifying nuclear competition with Western powers amidst rising regional tensions.

Protecting second strike capabilities

According to assessments by security analysts, the imagery reveals more than 80 launch pads. These pads are intended for potential use by an expanding fleet of mobile missile launchers as well as air-defense batteries. Furthermore, the newly built facilities appear configured to serve command operations, satellite communications, and electronic warfare functions.

Security experts note that this infrastructure is being deployed on a grand scale, stretching across thousands of square kilometers of desert landscape beyond the primary silo fields. Depending on the exact operational capabilities of these sites, the development represents a highly considerable enhancement and diversification of the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrent.

The primary objective behind safeguarding these desert silos aligns with the stated goal of maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent. This military policy remains grounded in the absolute capacity to retaliate effectively if the nation is struck first.

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DK Shivakumar expected to take oath as Karnataka chief minister on June 3

Senior leader DK Shivakumar is set to take office as the new chief minister of Karnataka on June 3, following top-level leadership transitions within the state government.

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Senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar is highly likely to take the oath of office as the next chief minister of Karnataka on June 3, according to government sources. The upcoming ceremony marks a major leadership transition in the southern state following recent political developments.

Transition of power

The development follows days of high-level consultations within the party’s central leadership to ensure a smooth transition of power in the state assembly. Media reports indicate that preparations for the oath-taking ceremony have begun, with the event expected to see attendance from top political leaders, party workers, and ministers.

State government officials and party insiders have indicated that the formal schedule and cabinet composition are being finalized ahead of the scheduled date. Further official announcements regarding the swearing-in ceremony are expected to be released soon by the state administration.

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Maharashtra MLC Polls: MVA finalizes 15 seats, tussle remains over two key constituencies

The Maha Vikas Aghadi has ironed out differences across 15 Maharashtra Legislative Council seats, leaving Nashik and Nanded as the final points of contention between Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).

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The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), has successfully reached a seat-sharing understanding for 15 out of 17 seats in the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. While a major breakthrough has been achieved, the alliance is currently witnessing a stalemate over Nashik and Nanded, as multiple constituent partners assert their presence in these regions.

According to sources, the distribution plan was designed to prevent internal rifts by respecting the geographic and organizational strongholds of each party.

Congress secures maximum share of seats

Under the initial draft layout, Congress has come out as the largest stakeholder with seven seats in its quota. The party has been assigned constituencies across northern Maharashtra, western Maharashtra, and Vidarbha, where its ground-level network remains sturdy.

The locations likely allocated to Congress feature Solapur, Chandrapur, Yavatmal, Bhandara, Dharashiv, Amravati, and Ahilyanagar. To gear up for the electoral challenge, state party president Harshvardhan Sapkal has already designated senior leaders to observe and coordinate at the constituency level.

Five seats assigned to Uddhav Thackeray faction

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has been allotted five seats under the proposed arrangement, focusing its reach on the Konkan region and Marathwada. The seats projected for the party encompass Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalgaon, Hingoli, Raigad, and Parbhani.

Concurrently, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction is expected to field its candidates from three constituencies: Thane, Pune, and the joint Satara-Sangli seat. Even though Thane has been known as a core stronghold of the traditional Shiv Sena, evolving dynamics inside state politics led to this assignment during discussions.

Stalemate over two key constituencies

Despite finding common ground on most locations, Nashik and Nanded continue to be sources of disagreement. Media reports show that both Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) want the Nashik seat, pointing to their local machinery. On the other hand, Nanded has traditionally stayed a bastion for Congress, but shifting political landscapes have led to claims from alliance partners too.

Leaders from the opposition have stressed that their core objective is to challenge the ruling Mahayuti coalition and prevent votes from splitting through friendly contests. Senior members are expected to hold more rounds of talks over the coming days to untangle the deadlock.

Ruling alliance formula takes shape

Sources close to the matter suggest that the ruling Mahayuti coalition has also neared completion of its election blueprint. Under their anticipated plan, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction might contest Pune and Raigad, whereas the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is tipped to take over Nashik, Thane, Parbhani, and Yavatmal. The remaining council seats are expected to be contested by the BJP.

Political experts are keeping a sharp watch on prospective inner rebellion inside the ruling camp, especially in regions like Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where disgruntled figures might look to explore options alongside independent candidates.

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