In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has directed Lok Sabha MP Akbar Lone, a petitioner challenging the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, to provide a sworn affidavit affirming his allegiance to the Constitution of India. Additionally, he has been instructed to declare that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Union of India.
The directive was issued by a Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, along with Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant, during the proceedings related to the Article 370 abrogation challenge.
The Court’s decision followed a statement by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who pointed out that Akbar Lone had previously made the slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ (Long live Pakistan) during an assembly session. The Solicitor General urged Lone to declare his strong opposition to terrorism and secessionism.
Moreover, Attorney General R Venkataramani echoed these concerns, highlighting that Lone had, in the past, delivered speeches in support of terrorism and secessionist ideologies.
CJI Chandrachud emphasized that if Akbar Lone has invoked the jurisdiction of the Court under Article 32 of the Constitution, he must firmly believe in the sovereignty of the nation and acknowledge Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India. As a result, Lone has been directed to furnish an affidavit confirming these beliefs.
“Do we take that Mr Akbar Lone believes in complete sovereignty of the nation and that J&K is an integral part of India?” the CJI asked.
In response to these developments, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued that Akbar Lone, being a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha, unequivocally recognizes Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India. Sibal affirmed that no one on the petitioner’s side had challenged the sovereignty of India.
However, CJI Chandrachud maintained the necessity for Akbar Lone to formally declare his allegiance to the Constitution through a sworn affidavit.
The Chenab Times News Desk