Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has made a significant statement regarding the restoration of full statehood to the region. He stated that he would wait for the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for August 8 on this issue.
Jammu-Kashmir Statehood Hearing: Former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) President Dr. Farooq Abdullah has stated that the matter pertaining to the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will be heard in the Supreme Court on August 8. He mentioned that while he does not know what the court will decide, one should wait with hope. Simultaneously, he launched a sharp attack on the People's Democratic Party (PDP), stating that the PDP played a significant role in creating the current situation.
Important Hearing in SC on August 8
Speaking to reporters in Anantnag on Wednesday, August 6, Farooq Abdullah said, "No one knows what will happen in the Supreme Court. We should wait and see what the Court decides. Nothing can be said about expectations." It is noteworthy that on August 5, 2019, the Central Government revoked Article 370 and 35A from Jammu and Kashmir and divided the state into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Since then, the demand for restoring statehood has been consistently raised.
When journalists asked for his reaction to the letter written by his son and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to opposition leaders, Farooq Abdullah replied:
'I am going to Delhi myself. The Congress has called a meeting of all opposition leaders. I will definitely raise this issue there. I hope that Congress will stand with us as before.'
Omar Abdullah had urged the opposition parties to prominently raise the issue of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament.
Major Attack on PDP
Farooq Abdullah's anger was clearly directed at Mehbooba Mufti's party, the PDP. He said: "If the PDP had not formed an alliance with the BJP at that time, this situation would not have arisen today. They are the ones who brought the BJP here and put Jammu and Kashmir in crisis. Now they are giving us advice." He further added: "It is regrettable that even today these people are fooling the public."
If Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had formed the government with NC and Congress at that time, Article 370 would not have been removed. We had offered them, but they gave priority to the BJP. They are responsible for today's situation. On August 5, 2019, the special state status of Jammu and Kashmir was abolished. Now, after 6 years, this issue is once again before the Supreme Court.
