Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud gave the Centre leeway to claim it had converted Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory for a “stipulated period” in order to protect national security but pushed the government to commit to a time frame by which it will be restored to a full-fledged State.

The Centre said the Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir was not a permanent feature. “We will make a positive statement the day after tomorrow [August 31] on Jammu and Kashmir. Ladakh will, however, remain a Union Territory,” Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta informed the court.

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was a state in India until October 31, 2019, when it was downgraded to a union territory.

The union territory of J&K is divided into two parts: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The union territory status of J&K is not permanent.

The Indian government has said that it will restore statehood to J&K at an appropriate time. However, there is no timeline for this yet.

The government has said that the downgrade of J&K to a union territory was necessary to improve the security situation in the region and to promote development.

However, it has been criticized the move, saying that it is a violation of the rights of the people of J&K.

The Supreme Court of India is currently hearing a number of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and the downgrade of J&K to a union territory.

The court is expected to give its verdict on these petitions in the coming months.

• To improve the security situation in the region. The government believes that the union territory status will give it more control over the security forces in J&K and will help to prevent terrorist attacks.
• To promote development. The government believes that the union territory status will attract more investment and development to J&K.
• To integrate J&K more closely with the rest of India. The government believes that the union territory status will help to reduce the sense of separation that some people in J&K feel.

The downgrade of J&K to a union territory has been a controversial issue.

Some people believe that it is a necessary step to improve the security situation and promote development in the region.

Others believe that it is a violation of the rights of the people of J&K and that it will lead to further instability.

The Supreme Court's verdict on the petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and the downgrade of J&K to a union territory is likely to have a significant impact on the future of the region.

Discuss the nature of J&K as Union territories, also elaborate on the recent judicial pronouncements by Supreme Court.