Mehbooba welcomes SC observation on Article 370

Srinagar: Welcoming the Supreme Court observation that Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, is not a temporary provision, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has said that the article plays a bigger role in safeguarding the religious, cultural and linguistic integrity of the state.

Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter on Wednesday, Mehbooba said " While Article 370 safeguards the territorial integrity of J&K, it plays a bigger role in safeguarding the religious, cultural and linguistic integrity of our state . The apex Court's observation regarding its permanent status is a welcome assurance to our people."

The top court of the country on Tuesday had said that Article 370 of the Constitution which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir is not a temporary provision.

The court said that in its earlier verdict of 2017 in the SARFESI case, it has been already held that Article 370 was "not a temporary provision".