New Delhi: The Supreme Court today refused to give an urgenthearing to a petition filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader andlawyer, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, challenging the validity of Article 370 whichprovides special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP has constantly batted for the abrogation of Article370 stating that the provision of the article is ‘temporary in nature’. Whilelast year, the Apex court observed that Article 370 of the Constitution,conferring special status on Jammu and Kashmir, can not be abrogated as it hasacquired permanent status through years of existence. The BJP, in its manifestofor the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, had reiterated its stand on Article 370 and35A of the Constitution.

“We reiterate our position since the time of the Jan Sanghto the abrogation of Article 370. We are committed to annulling Article 35A ofthe Constitution of India as the provision is discriminatory againstnon-permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir. We believe that Article35A is an obstacle in the development of the state,” the manifesto read.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had time and again during hiscampaigns said that it would withdraw Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.