Abrogation Of Article 370 Is 'Betrayal': Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah Talks About Moving To SC For 'Justice'

Former Jammu & Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah talked about his party's decision to move to the Supreme Court over striking down the centre's decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370.

National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah. FILE PIC/AFP

New Delhi: Former Chief Miniter Farooq Abdullah, on Sunday, talked about the demand for restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and expressed his hope that the Supreme Court will strike down the repeal of Article 370 provisions.  Jammu and Kashmir's special status was revoked on August 5 last year, two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were carved out from the erstwhile state. Former CM Farooq Abdullah spoke to news agency PTI about the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. He said that his party will continue to contest the changes through all democratic ways. He called these changes a "betrayal" of the trust that Jammu and Kashmir's people had placed during J&K's accession to India. Describing the changes as "vishwasghat" he said, "The trust we had reposed in Delhi has come to naught." On August 5 last year, the Centre abrogated Article 370 by stating that it has stalled the development of the state and is deterrent in efforts to curb terrorism in the region while preventing proper education, health care and growth of industries. Sheikh Abdullah's party Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) challenged the decision in the Supreme Court. SC set up a five-member bench to hear the matter, NC contented that the legislation passed and subsequent orders were "unconstitutional". "As a political party, it is but natural that we will keep the people informed about what we are doing to get justice. We are very clear that we do not accept the changes forced on us and will continue to oppose them," said Abdullah in an interview to PTI. The senior leader had been arrested hours before Article 370 abrogation on August 5 and was put under detention for seven months. He added, "We will fight for our rights, campaign for our rights within democratic means. We have never used guns, we have never used methods that are not constitutional. We are a democratic mainstream party and will use all democratic means at our disposal." "There is a loss of trust and Delhi has to rebuild the trust. That trust will come only when the statehood is restored and other changes are reversed. That has to be done," the former CM said. "What happened is unfortunate. They (Centre) said J&K will progress once this thing (Article 370) is removed, militancy will disappear. I would like to ask those people, has militancy disappeared? It has increased rather than decreased. Any development? Zero development. Whatever we had we have lost even that," he claimed. Talking about his party's decision to move the top Court for "justice", the veteran said, "We are seeking justice from the highest court of the land because of our faith in the judiciary. We are hopeful that justice will be rendered to us. We are looking up to the Supreme Court." "We desperately need peace but also restoration of our honour and dignity taken away without consulting the people most affected by the drastic changes," he added. (With Agency Inputs) WATCH | J&K: Pakistan violates ceasefire in Poonch district