SRINAGAR: National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday called the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A as the biggest “misstep” for the union territory.
Speaking a week after the first anniversary of the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir on October 31, 2019, Abdullah suggested that they were not safe even in their own land.
They said that by removing Article 370 and 35A, people who were distraught with the Indian administration would completely be assimilated into the rest of the country. But I’d like to say with conviction that by this, these people are even more alienated than before.
“Where are the development works? One year 3 months is long enough to get started on such projects. We’d always say don’t be under a misconception that removing Article 370 and 35A will solve all problems. It is the biggest misstep for J&K. We’re not safe on our own lands,” Omar Abdullah told a public event.
National Conference patron and former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah also spoke today and said Jammu and Kashmir want to stay with India. He hit out at the BJP and said India belongs to Mahatma Gandhi, not the BJP
If Jammu and Kashmir wanted to go to Pakistan, they would have done so in 1947. No one could have stopped it. But our nation is Mahatma Gandhi’s India. Not BJP’s India,” Farooq Abdullah said.
It may be recalled that the Union government had abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and also bifurcated the state into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature and Ladakh without a legislature.
He said that he is 85 years old but still young. I will not sleep until I give rights to the people of this state. I will bring Article 370 before I die. I will not die until this happens. (PTK)
