In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference Vice President, Omar Abdullah on Saturday, reiterating his stance that the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 was unconstitutional and unlawful, said his party will continue its peaceful struggle for the rights of the Kashmiri people.
Omar Abdullah addressing party workers in the border district of Poonch pooh-poohed the claims of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders about normalcy in Kashmir in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370, saying “except BJP-linked people, everyone else is disappointed”.
“We are not ready to accept defeat. We will continue our struggle in a peaceful manner for the restoration of our rights, respect, identity and honour,” Omar Abudllah said.
He said the National Conference will knock every relevant door to ensure that the rights of the people are restored and they get justice.
Referring to the Indian Supreme Court’s decision to consider listing after summer vacation the pleas challenging the decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370, the NC leader said, “We hope the hearing starts soon and the court gives its verdict”.
“We are of the opinion that what happened (in August 2019) was unconstitutional and unlawful. There is delay in God’s house but there is no darkness. It may take some time but we will wait,” he said, adding, “My heart says we will get justice and I have faith in it.”
Cautioning the people against attempts to divide them on the basis of religion and regions, he said “we have suffered a lot and need to stand united to pull out J&K from this quagmire.”
In an apparent reference to the BJP, he said, “They are trying to weaken us, divide us, suppress us and are playing with the future of our coming generations. You have to make a right decision on the right time (during assembly elections) to get rid of them and safeguard your future.”
Lashing out at the BJP-led government, he said it has failed to keep a single promise made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir while justifying its decision to revoke Article 370 and bifurcate J&K into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
“They claimed that Article 370 was the biggest hurdle in the restoration of peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. Two-and-a-half years have passed, I do not see any peace prevailing.—KMS
