Statehood as a Right: Farooq Abdullah's Call for Democracy in J&K

Farooq Abdullah, National Conference president, emphasizes that Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is a constitutional right, not a concession. He advocates for the reestablishment of democratic authority in the region, criticizing its current union territory status as a hindrance to effective governance, and assures party workers of continued efforts to address these issues.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday asserted that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is a constitutional right rather than a concession. Speaking to NC workers in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, the former chief minister emphasized the need for a return to full democratic governance in the region.

Abdullah stressed that statehood is not a gift but a right promised repeatedly by the ruling government and long overdue. The NC leader assured his party members that overcoming these challenges remains a priority for the government.

Criticizing the union territory status of Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah described it as an impediment to genuine governance. He observed that governing a region with such diversity under the restrictive framework of a union territory is inefficient and likened it to flying a kite without wind.