Farooq Abdullah Demands Statehood Restoration, Questions Gains from Article 370 Abrogation
Srinagar – July 27, 2025: In a sharp critique of the Centre’s 2019 move to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has renewed his call for the immediate restoration of statehood, warning that continued Union Territory (UT) status dishonors India’s Constitution.
“If the Constitution is to be respected, states are not turned into Union Territories,” said Abdullah, speaking to the press in Srinagar. “Rather, UTs are upgraded to states. What did they achieve by reversing that logic?”
Abdullah, a three-time former Chief Minister, was referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A on August 5, 2019, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy and split it into two UTs. The move was accompanied by promises of peace and development—but, six years later, Abdullah said, the results speak otherwise.
“They said militancy would disappear,” he noted. “Has it disappeared—or has it grown? Let the Centre answer that in Parliament.”
Pointing to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Abdullah blamed the absence of an elected local government for intelligence and security failures. “If a local government had been in charge, perhaps that attack could have been prevented,” he said. “Even the Lieutenant Governor admitted to a failure—he should have had the courage to resign.”
He also criticized the Centre for delaying representation, calling the absence of J&K’s Rajya Sabha seats and vacant Assembly positions a “tragedy”. “What is the Election Commission doing?” he asked.
While echoing recent appeals by Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for statehood restoration, Abdullah emphasized that this demand is not about hope—it’s about constitutional obligation.
He dismissed reports of internal discord in his party and reiterated that dialogue—not war—is the only solution to resolve long-standing tensions with Pakistan.
On the recent announcement by separatist-turned-mainstream leader Bilal Lone, Abdullah expressed cautious optimism. “I’m glad he’s joined the democratic fold. After years in the wilderness, maybe now he can serve the people.”
