National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday warned against any attempt at abrogating Article 35-A which would be treated as an assault on “our soul and identity”.
“The assault on the state’s special status should unite everyone who is sincere towards the people and is committed to defending the state’s unique political and cultural identity,” Farooq said while addressing a commemoration event in the city here.
Farooq, also a parliamentarian from the Srinagar constituency, said he would acknowledge the NIA probe into separatist funding “only if they bring any results”. “If they are being conducted to threaten people and to torture them then I would like to tell the Centre and the NIA that no matter how much they torture us, nobody will bow down before them,” he said.
The opposition party leaders, including Farooq and his son and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, had gathered at the mausoleum of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 35th death anniversary.
Farooq warned that the “assault on Article 35A is an assault on our soul and our identity”. “We should all unite to defend our honour. The powers that be are using myths and distortions to support their long-cherished goal of weakening J&K from within but in the end the truth always prevails,” he said.
The National Conference leader described Article 35A as an “article of faith and honour for all regions and religions”. The opposition party has already launched an outreach and awareness programme about defending Article 35A in different parts of the state.
Farooq Abdullah again warns against any assault on J&K Status
