SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday described the constitutional changes made in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, as “unconstitutional” and said protests demanding restoration of the erstwhile state’s special status would continue.
“Everyone knows that what happened on August 5, 2019, is unconstitutional. So, the entire country supports the protests right now. Yesterday you saw the protest at Parliament. This will continue,” Abdullah told reporters.
The NC president was referring to the abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP-led Central Government on August 5, 2019. The move ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status and was followed by the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Asked about his party’s position on restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said the National Conference had a policy on the issue.
“I don’t have any policy; the National Conference has a policy,” he said.
On a question about Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s remarks concerning Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti, Abdullah said she could respond to it herself.
The remarks came a day after protests and other demonstrations were held in Jammu and Kashmir on the seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 decisions. The National Conference and the PDP held protests in various districts, demanding restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state.
