A lecturer at a government school in Srinagar was suspended from service after appearing before the Supreme Court during the hearing of the petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370.
Zahoor Ahmed Bhat, who teaches political science, appeared in SC on Wednesday and argued against the abrogation of Article 370.
The government has ordered the suspension of Bhat, citing provisions from the J&K Civil Service Regulations, J&K Government Employees Conduct Rules, and J&K Leave Rules, with immediate effect.
“During the period of suspension, the delinquent shall remain attached to the office of the Director of School Education, Jammu,” stated the order.
"Pending enquiry into his conduct, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, senior lecturer, political science, presently posted at Government Higher Secondary School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar, is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect for violation of provisions of J&K, CSR, Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (conduct) Rules, 1971," stated the order.
Bhat holds a law degree and was representing himself in the SC. The apex court is currently hearing a series of petitions against the abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP on August 5, 2019.
The lawyers representing different petitioners have completed their arguments before the court. The court is now hearing the arguments of the Solicitor General of India, who is defending the BJP's decision against Article 370.
The decision to revoke Article 370 was challenged by several political parties in J&K, as well as by private individuals, soon after Article 370 was abrogated and the state of J&K was divided into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Centre imposed a security and communication lockdown in J&K after the revocation of Article 370, detaining dozens of political leaders, political activists, and separatists. J&K has been under Central rule for the last five years following the collapse of the PDP-BJP government.
