NC to Launch Door-to-Door Statehood Drive, Farooq Calls Campaign a Stern Message to Centre
Srinagar, Aug 15: National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Friday strongly endorsed the signature campaign announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, asserting that the drive will be pursued with vigor across the Union Territory.
“The campaign will be run, and it will be a vigorous campaign,” Farooq told reporters after participating in the Independence Day celebrations at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar. His remarks came in response to questions about Omar Abdullah’s announcement, made in his address earlier in the day, that a door-to-door campaign will be launched to mobilize public opinion in favor of statehood.
The move follows the Supreme Court’s recent observation that the “ground situation” in J&K, including incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack, must be weighed before considering restoration of statehood. In his speech, Omar Abdullah had pledged to utilize the eight-week window granted by the apex court to the Centre by reaching out to people in all 90 assembly segments. “From today, we will use these eight weeks to go door to door for a signature campaign. If people are not ready to sign, I will accept defeat,” Omar said, delivering a stern political message.
Farooq Abdullah echoed this sentiment, noting that the chief minister’s words carried a strong warning to the Centre. “Yes, it is a clear and stern message,” he admitted, while also sharing his personal emotions of attending the Independence Day function after several years. “There were tears and happiness. Tears, because I too have been Chief Minister here, when we had Article 370, Article 35A, and full statehood. And happiness, because despite the loss, the struggle for our rights continues.”
The NC president also expressed deep concern over the devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar, where hundreds are feared trapped under debris. “Our DDC chairman has informed me that the number may even be close to 1,000. We do not know for sure, but it is a moment of great sadness,” he said, underscoring the human tragedy even as political debates continue.
By intertwining the demand for statehood with grassroots mobilization, the NC leadership has signaled its intent to channel public participation into a larger political movement.
