Srinagar, Apr 21 (UNI) Amid a row triggered by BJP MP who accused the Supreme Court of judicial overreach, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday asserted that the Apex court has powers to review the actions of the Central and State governments.

Abdullah said that if someone goes to the Supreme Court against a government action, it should not be given a political colour.

The Chief Minister was responding to media query on BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s criticism of Supreme Court for hearing petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The BJP has already distanced itself from the Dubey’s remark.

“When the President of the BJP has said something about his MP, then what is the need to comment further? Everyone ( judiciary and Parliament” has their own role,” Omar said.

The Chief Minister said the Supreme Court has powers to review the actions of the central and state governments.
“Did we not go to the Supreme Court in the case of ( Article) 370? …This is not the first time (challenging the Waqf Act). There have been many instances in which the Supreme Court has reviewed the steps of the government. Was not Indira Gandhi's decision to impose the Emergency challenged in the court? So today, if someone goes to the Supreme Court, it should not be given a political colour,” Abdullah said.

He added that the Court has its own jurisdiction, and the legislature has its own.

Abdullah said that they discussed the Waqf issue in the J&K Assembly as much as possible.
“Then we went to court and got some relief,” Abdullah said

Highlighting the impact of the court’s interventions, he noted, “The results aren’t all negative. At least the Supreme Court compelled the Centre to step back on two counts. For now, non-Muslim interference in Waqf affairs has been stayed while self-declared Waqf has not been stopped. Let the Supreme Court do its work. We will wait for their verdict.”
UNI MJR CS