Srinagar, 25 May: Reaffirming that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status remains the foremost and unwavering objective of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah Monday said that the party will persist in its principled political struggle under all circumstances until this historic injustice is reversed.
Addressing a gathering, Dr. Farooq asserted that the accession of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir to the Union of India was founded upon clearly defined constitutional guarantees and solemn commitments. However, through illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic measures, the people of Jammu and Kashmir were stripped off their fundamental political and constitutional rights. He emphasized that even after six years since the decisions of August 5, 2019, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have neither reconciled with these measures nor will they ever accept them in the future.
Dr. Farooq stated that Article 370 constituted the constitutional bedrock and political framework governing the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and India. It was under this constitutional safeguard that Jammu and Kashmir retained its distinct identity and special autonomous position following the events of 1947. However, he said, New Delhi reneged on its promises, commitments and constitutional assurances by unilaterally abrogating J&Ks special status in 2019 without even deeming it necessary to consult the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the historic role of the National Conference, Dr. Farooq said that throughout its political journey, the party has undertaken transformative and revolutionary measures to safeguard the political, social and economic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Under the towering leadership of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the National Conference dismantled the exploitative feudal order and introduced the landmark Land to the Tiller reforms, empowering millions of impoverished peasants by granting them ownership rights over land and fundamentally altering their socio-economic destiny.
He further stated that it was the National Conference that laid the foundations of modern development in Jammu and Kashmir by strengthening vital sectors such as education, healthcare, road connectivity, electricity, drinking water supply and employment generation.
Criticizing the promises made by the Central Government at the time of the abrogation of Article 370, Dr. Farooq remarked that the claims of prosperity, peace, development and employment projected over the past six years have gradually been exposed as hollow and misleading.
Calling upon the people to remain politically conscious and alert, Dr. Farooq cautioned against forces attempting to mislead the masses through shifting narratives, hollow slogans, and calculated propaganda. He observed that certain political elements have built their entire existence on opposing the National Conference, while others routinely issue provocative statements against the party merely to remain politically relevant and capture public attention.
Urging New Delhi to abandon what he termed its harsh and alienating policies towards Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Farooq demanded the immediate restoration of promised full-fledged statehood and the initiation of a credible political process aimed at restoring the constitutional and democratic rights of the people.