Supreme Court to hear Article 35A in January 2019

Kashmir heaved a temporary sigh of relief on Friday after the Supreme Court deferred the hearing on Article 35A till January 2019, even as the Valley observed a shut-down for the second day to press for retention of the law in the Indian constitution.

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) asked people to remain ready for another bout of agitation if Article 35A was struck down. JRL is a conglomerate of Hurriyat head Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and J&K Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik. Farooq, who is also a chief cleric, was placed under house detention and not allowed lead the Friday congregation.

"Complete unity and steadfastness shown by all people in strongly challenging this serious assault on our identity shows that the strength of people's unity can unnerve even a mighty adversary and push it back," said a JRL spokesman.

"The great courage shown by the people of the J&K has made it clear to New Delhi that despite all the force at its command, government of India cannot subdue people determined to safeguard their identity," said the separatist trio.