Srinagar: National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday urged the Centre to fulfil its promise of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, warning that New Delhi will one day “regret” its decisions regarding the Union Territory.
Abdullah made the remarks while meeting a delegation of party functionaries from Anantnag West, led by MLA Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi. The delegation updated him on organisational matters, ongoing public outreach initiatives, and raised concerns about the current situation in the region.
“One day, New Delhi will regret its decisions regarding Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said, adding that historically, the central government had numerous opportunities to win the trust of the people of J-K, but its security-centric approach has often overshadowed efforts to build confidence.
Pointing to the large voter turnout in the 2024 assembly elections, which he said reflected the people’s faith in the Indian Constitution and democracy, the former chief minister criticised the government for failing to restore statehood—a promise that remains unfulfilled.
Referring to the August 2019 “unilateral” decisions, Abdullah said they were intended to bring J-K on par with the rest of India, “but the reality has been quite the opposite.” He added, “Instead of integration, we are being treated as an exception, placed on a lower pedestal.” He emphasised that fulfilling the promise of statehood is essential to maintaining public trust in the democratic system, and any further delay undermines that trust.
Abdullah called on New Delhi to act without delay, stating, “It is time for the Centre to honour its promises. This is not just about politics; it is about justice, equality, and fulfilling commitments made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He reaffirmed the NC’s commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of the people of J-K, pledging to continue peacefully and democratically pressing for the restoration of statehood and other constitutional guarantees.
