India’s top court is taking up legal challenges to the government’s decision to revoke Indian-controlled Kashmir’s special status and has asked the government to explain its stance to the court, Associated Press reports.
The Supreme Court held a preliminary hearing on the petitions Wednesday and said five judges will start a regular hearing in October.
It ordered the federal government to file its replies to 14 petitions and inform the court about the media restrictions imposed in Kashmir.
India’s Hindu-led government imposed a security lockdown and communications blackout in Muslim-majority Kashmir to avoid a violent reaction to the Aug. 5 decision to downgrade the region’s autonomy.
The decision has touched off anger in Indian-controlled Kashmir and in neighboring Pakistan. Kashmir is claimed by both nations and divided between them.
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