Srinagar, Apr 21: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s authority to review decisions made by the Centre or state governments and cautioned against politicising legal proceedings, including the ongoing case concerning the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah emphasised that every institution has its designated role, and the SC has the constitutional mandate to examine government decisions.
“Did we not approach the SC on the Article 370 matter? This isn’t the first time the apex court has been moved,” he said, citing historical examples like the legal challenge to Indira Gandhi’s Emergency to underline that judicial intervention should not be viewed through a political lens.
Clarifying the National Conference’s (NC) position on the Waqf Amendment Act, Abdullah said the matter was briefly discussed in the Legislative Assembly before the party approached the Supreme Court and secured partial relief.
“Where’s the harm in seeking judicial review? The SC has directed the Centre to roll back certain steps and stayed non-Muslim interference in Waqf matters, although the issue of self-declared Waqf properties remains unresolved. Let the court do its job—we’ll wait for the verdict,” he said.
He also stressed that it was political parties, not the government, that had taken the matter to court. “It is the NC that has gone to court. If the BJP has issues with what their MP said, they shouldn’t drag others into it,” he added, referring to controversial remarks made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey regarding the judiciary.
