SRINAGAR: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday described the events of August 9, 1953, including the arrest and removal of then Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, as a “black day” in the region’s history and called for restoration of statehood as the first step towards rebuilding trust between Srinagar and New Delhi.
In a statement, Farooq said the events of 1953 marked the beginning of what he termed a prolonged erosion of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional position and had a lasting impact on the relationship between the region and the Union Government.
He alleged that the arrest of Sheikh Abdullah created a deep trust deficit between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi, the effects of which continue to be felt.
The National Conference leader said his party remains committed to safeguarding Jammu and Kashmir’s political, constitutional and cultural identity. He claimed that successive governments at the Centre had largely approached the region through a security framework rather than addressing its political aspirations.
Calling for a “new chapter” in Centre-J&K relations, Farooq urged the Union Government to honour its commitment to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Restoration of statehood must be the beginning of a wider process of rights restoration, justice, dignity and mutual respect,” he said.
