Zahoor Ahmad Bhat

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Zahoor Ahmad Bhat

Zahoor Ahmad Bhat is an advocate, a senior lecturer of political science, at Government Higher Secondary School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar. Bhat hails from Budgam.

On 25 August 2023, Bhat was removed from his place of posting and reinstated on 03 September

Educational Background

Bhat has done LLB from University of Kashmir. He has done PG in Political Science from Delhi University. He has completed a PG in Economics at IGNOU. Currently he studies Leadership and Public policy at Harvard University.

Arguments against Abolition of Article 370

On August 23 2023, Bhat appeared in the Supreme Court of India and pleaded against the abrogation of Article 370. Bhat told the Supreme Court,

“I teach Indian politics in J&K. It is... very difficult for me to teach since 2019 about this beautiful Constitution. When students ask if we are a democracy after 2019, it is difficult to answer. Despite the assurance made by the then Governor Satya Pal Malik on August 4 that Article 370 will not be abrogated, a curfew was imposed at midnight and former chief ministers were detained..."

He argued that J&K’s special status was downgraded and split into two Union Territories in violation of the morality of Indian constitution. He said,

“It was against people’s right to democracy as the consent of people of J&K and Ladakh was not taken into consideration. The move was against cooperative federalism and supremacy of the Constitution,”

Suspension

On August 25 2023, Jammu and Kashmir administration suspended Bhat from the Union Territory’s education department and was attached to the office of the Director School Education, Jammu The suspension order made a reference to Bhat's appearing before the Supreme Court.

On 03 September 2023, Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department revoked Bhat's suspension, citing violations of the civil service regulations, government employees conduct rules and leave rules.

Reaction

Bhat's suspension was questioned by DY Chandrachud after the matter was brought to his notice by Kapil Sibal. On 28 August 2023, Chandrachud directed the AG to look into Bhat’s suspension. He observed the suspension being in succession to Bhat's appearing in the hearing of Article 370.

Reacting to Bhat's suspension, Mehbooba Mufti wrote in a tweet,

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. Since the illegal abrogation of Article 370, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have to choose. Either be mute spectators and watch their livelihood, jobs and land being snatched or face the music for raising their voice. It's a Hobson’s choice laden with deadly consequences. Every Kashmiri can't afford to knock on the doors of the SC.”

Omar Abdullah tweeted,

"Grateful to @KapilSibal for raising the issue of Zahoor Bhat in the Supreme Court. Zahoor is a lecturer who was suspended immediately after he returned to the valley having argued his petition in front of the Constitution Bench against the events of 5th Aug 2019."

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