National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has urged the Indian government to restore the special status of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the interest of democracy.  According to Kashmir Media Service, Farooq Abdullah in a statement issued in Srinagar described New Delhi's August 5, 2019 decisions a “major mistake” and said the sooner the Modi government rectified it, the better it would be for the democratic system.  

India “will eventually have to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s special position, and the National Conference will continue its struggle for this demand until it is achieved,” he said. Abdullah said the party would continue to raise the issue of restoration of IIOJK’s democratic rights in the Assembly, Parliament and other appropriate forums. He also criticised the continued Union Territory status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, saying people had voted for an elected government to run the affairs of the territory and address their problems.

Although elections had been held, he said, the elected government had remained deprived of “full powers”, which he described as contrary to democratic, constitutional and moral principles. “The people had given a mandate through their votes to an elected government to run the affairs of the region and address their problems and difficulties. However, New Delhi has imposed an undemocratic system over the elected government,” Abdullah said.  

The NC chief, however, made a distinction between the two demands, saying that seeking statehood did not mean that the National Conference had abandoned its demand for restoration of special status.“Our party will continue, under all circumstances, to struggle for restoration of the "constitutional rights... We will not hesitate to make any sacrifice for this cause,” he said. The National Conference president said the prevailing situation had created a sense of alienation, disappointment and distrust among the people and urged New Delhi to take steps to address it 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)