Srinagar: President National Conference Farooq Abdullah has accused the BJP-led Indian government of unlawfully using its parliamentary majority to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A, altering the special status of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service, during discussions with various delegations in Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah stated that the people of Kashmir were initially granted special rights concerning land and employment, which the BJP has now revoked. He highlighted the events of August 5, 2019, when the BJP government took actions to annul Kashmir’s special status, describing how New Delhi first transformed IIOJK into a controlled environment before stripping away its unique privileges. Abdullah noted that numerous legal experts within India have also criticized these actions as unconstitutional and undemocratic.

The NC president further criticized the BJP’s stringent policies, including the harassment and detention of Kashmiris, while asserting that the people of IIOJK remain steadfast and united in their opposition. He expressed that Kashmiris reject the directives imposed on August 5, 2019, as they do not reflect the will and aspirations of the local populace.

Additionally, Farooq Abdullah praised the people of Ladakh for their protests and vocal opposition against the abrogation of IIOJK’s special status. He also mentioned that despite BJP’s attempts to manipulate elections through the delimitation commission, the use of proxy candidates, and other strategies, the party has not succeeded in its intentions within IIOJK.