SC defers hearing of Article 35A of J&K to Feb 26

Supreme Court on Monday listed the hearing of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Article 35A (relating to the special rights and privileges enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir) for this week from February 26-28.

The much-debated Article 35A of the Constitution empowers the J&K legislature to define the state's 'permanent residents' and their special rights and privileges.

It was added to the Constitution through a presidential order of 1954. The law prohibits non-permanent residents



from a permanent settlement in the state, acquiring immovable property, government jobs, scholarships, and aid.

Some also argue that the Article is discriminatory against J&K women as it rules out their state subject rights if they married non-permanent residents.

Ahead of the hearing, former Jammu and Kashmir CM has warned the government of India before taking any decision on the controversial Article 35 A.