Farooq Abdullah Lambasts Centre Over Article 370 and J&K’s Status

Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the National Conference President, has launched a scathing attack on the central government concerning the revocation of Article 370 and the subsequent denial of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The criticism arrives in anticipation of the sixth anniversary of the constitutional changes implemented on August 5th. Abdullah directly challenged the ruling party, asking what progress they had made in the region. He reiterated his belief that the decision to alter the status of Jammu and Kashmir would eventually be reversed. He also highlighted the current administrative setup, where a Lieutenant Governor holds significant power, and called for reforms within the region, insisting on adherence to democratic norms. Furthermore, Abdullah voiced concerns over the ongoing encounters in Kulgam, despite previous declarations of eliminating terrorism. He questioned the discrepancy between such claims and the persistence of militant activity. Earlier, Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP President, also echoed similar sentiments, pointing out the unfulfilled promises of improvement made after Article 370 was revoked in 2019.