SRINAGAR: Former Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah Monday reaffirmed the party’s core stand on protecting the rights and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir including restoration of Article 370.
He said this while addressing a gathering in Budgam, asserting that the foundation of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference rests on its sincere and selfless cadre, as well as the immense sacrifices of Kashmir’s martyrs. He said these martyrs laid down their lives for the dignity, self-respect and freedom of the people from centuries of oppression and subjugation.
Farooq added that the first democratically elected government of the National Conference granted constitutional and democratic rights to the people and brought a historic transformation through land ownership rights.
“Under the leadership of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, landmark reforms significantly reduced poverty, deprivation, and illiteracy, enabling ordinary citizens, who had tilled the land for years without fair compensation to become land owners overnight,” he said.
These reforms, he said, transformed the lives of the poor and laid the foundation for a more prosperous and stable society. He said that Late Abdullah not only empowered the people but also secured internal autonomy for the State. However, he said these constitutional protections were gradually eroded, one by one in an unconstitutional and undemocratic manner and whatever remained, was fully abolished in 2019, with the active support of the People’s Democratic Party.
Warning against misleading narratives, former J&K Chief Minister said that restoration of Article 370 remains the core agenda of the National Conference, and there is no question of stepping back from this struggle. He reaffirmed that the party will continue to fight for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir under all circumstances. Farooq said the party is consistently raising the issue of restoring democratic and constitutional rights at every platform.
Stressing the urgency of restoring Statehood, Dr Farooq said it is essential for enabling an elected government to function effectively and take key decisions without unnecessary obstacles.
He further said that a dual system of governance in a sensitive region like Jammu and Kashmir could lead to instability and chaos. In a democracy, he noted, a government elected by an overwhelming majority cannot be ignored, nor can hurdles be justified in its functioning.
Abdullah added that the Prime Minister and Home Minister had promised restoration of Statehood soon after elections, but more than a year and a half has passed since the formation of the elected government. He said the Centre must fulfill its commitment without further delay and pointed out that the Supreme Court has also directed the Centre to restore Statehood at the earliest, leaving no justification for continued delay.
He said National Conference Government remains committed to public welfare, with ministers and MLAs, working tirelessly to address grievances and ensure relief to the people.
