Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister and senior National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Monday stressed that the Supreme Court has the power to review decisions made by the Union Government or state governments, urging that a challenge to any legislation before the apex court should not be politicised.
"Everyone (institution) has a role. The Supreme Court has been given the powers to review decisions taken by the Centre or the state government. Did we not go to the SC in Article 370 case? This is not the first time that the apex court has been moved (in the Waqf case). Was not Indira Gandhi's decision to impose the Emergency challenged in the court? If today someone is going to the SC, it should not be given a political hue. The court has its own jurisdiction and the legislature has its own jurisdiction," Omar Abdullah told mediapersons here.
He was responding to criticism from some quarters regarding the apex court hearing petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Referring to the ongoing case, Omar noted that while there was some discussion on the Waqf Amendment Act in the Legislative assembly, the National Conference had already taken the matter to the Supreme Court and got interim relief.
"Where is the negative impact? At least, the SC has directed the Centre to move back two steps. Non-Muslims' interference in Waqf has been stayed while self-declared Waqf has not been stopped. Let the SC do its work, we will wait for its verdict," the Chief Minister added.
"The Waqf issue has been taken to the SC by parties, not the government. The NC has taken. If the BJP has said something about their MP, what is the need to comment on it?" he said, responding to questions about Dubey’s controversial remarks on the apex court.
Speaking on the crisis in Ramban district, where flash floods and landslides have caused significant damage, the Chief Minister described the situation as “very bad,” especially along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
"Yesterday, I sent the Deputy Chief Minister to assess the situation on the ground. The local MLAs from Banihal and Ramban are also there on the ground. Efforts are being made for the early restoration of the highway,” he said.
"We are in the process of providing relief to the families who have lost their homes. We are talking to the Centre for deployment of NDRF. We will also tap the PM's relief fund and other relief funds so that the losses suffered by people can be compensated," he said.
While the Jammu-Srinagar highway remains closed due to landslides at Ramban, he informed that the Mughal Road — linking the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu region via Poonch-Rajouri — is operational.
He assured the residents of Kashmir that there was no dearth of essential supplies in the Valley.
"I want to assure the people that there is no shortage of essentials in the Valley and there is no need to resort to hoarding. Clear directions have been given to the officers to take strict action wherever there is any unreasonable price hike or black marketeering going on. They should involve the police in market checking and make arrests, if need be," he added.
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