New Delhi: The Centre on Monday made it clear in the Supreme Court that talks or dialogue is not possible in Jammu and Kashmir with those who contest the accession of the state with India and assert that all elections held since 1947 had been rigged.
Making this submission before a bench of Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar read out the affidavit filed by the petitioner Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association and said, “They are contesting the accession of J&K with India and saying all elections since 1947 have been rigged. On what basis are we going to sit together for a dialogue.”?
Bar not to act as a mediator
A bench of Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud had in April asked the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association to explore the possibility of a dialogue. The CJI had asked the association to prevail upon the restive youth in the state to shun stone pelting and go back to their studies as part of the dialogue process.
During the resumed hearing on Monday the Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar made it clear that no talks is possible in the current atmosphere.
Counsel for the association also said that it couldn’t have the dialogue when the Government of India was not agreeing for it.
He said the Bar was not willing to act as a mediator with the agitating youth. Counsel told the court “when the government is not ready for talks how can be start the process.” He suggested continuous and uninterrupted dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue.
The CJI told the counsel “Violence is continuing. How can you have a dialogue?” Counsel urged the court to examine the new Statement of Purpose for the Army in Kashmir and said, “The court has to look at Article 14 of the Constitution, viz people’s right to protest vis a vis the response of the State.”
