Srinagar: Farooq Abdullah on Monday said the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status remains the foremost objective of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and asserted that the party will continue its political struggle until the “historic injustice” of August 5, 2019 is reversed.
Addressing a gathering, Dr Farooq Abdullah said the accession of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir to the Union of India was based on constitutional guarantees and commitments.
He alleged that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were stripped of their constitutional and political rights through what he termed “illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic measures.”
The NC president said that even after six years since the abrogation of Article 370, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have neither reconciled with the decisions taken on August 5, 2019 nor accepted them.
Dr Farooq said Article 370 formed the constitutional and political framework governing the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and India and provided the region with a distinct identity and autonomous position after 1947.
He alleged that New Delhi reneged on its constitutional assurances by unilaterally revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status without consulting its people.
Highlighting the role of the National Conference, Dr Farooq said the party, under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, introduced transformative reforms including the “Land to the Tiller” programme that empowered poor peasants by granting them land ownership rights.
He also said the National Conference laid the foundation for development in Jammu and Kashmir by strengthening sectors such as education, healthcare, road connectivity, electricity, drinking water supply and employment generation.
Criticising the Centre’s promises following the abrogation of Article 370, Dr Farooq said the claims of prosperity, peace, development and employment made over the last six years had proved “hollow and misleading.”
Calling on people to remain politically aware, he cautioned against what he described as “shifting narratives, hollow slogans and manufactured propaganda.”
The NC president alleged that some political forces attempt to remain politically relevant by opposing the National Conference and making provocative statements against the party.
Urging New Delhi to abandon what he termed “harsh and alienating policies” towards Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Farooq demanded immediate restoration of full-fledged statehood and initiation of a credible political process aimed at restoring constitutional and democratic rights of the people.
