New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid has criticised the Supreme Court verdict on Article 370, saying the court missed a crucial opportunity to examine federalism in its most extreme form. He made the remarks while speaking at the launch of two books by journalist Bashir Assad titled Kashmir: The Unfiltered Truth and House Without Witness.
Khurshid said the Constitution speaks of fraternity, equality, and liberty. He added federalism often receives less attention within judicial interpretation. Referring to the Article 370 proceedings, he said the case presented a rare moment for the court to assess federalism at its deepest level. He noted the court chose restraint after accepting the government’s assurance, conveyed by the Attorney General, regarding the swift restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the revocation of Article 370 and directed the restoration of statehood at the earliest. Khurshid said this assurance led the court to step away from a wider constitutional examination of federal balance.
Describing federalism as unity rooted in diversity, Khurshid said India draws strength from its linguistic, cultural, and regional differences. He rejected the idea of uniformity as a measure of national strength. He stressed respect for differing views and open exchange of ideas as central to India’s democratic character.
Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Sinha also addressed the gathering. He praised the books for presenting unfiltered perspectives on Kashmir. He said public discourse often focuses on territory while overlooking the lived experiences of Kashmiris. Sinha said Kashmiris endure pain and suffering while continuing to hold on to hope. He urged greater attention to Kashmiri voices rather than speaking on their behalf.
