Srinagar, 24 Oct (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir was passing through an extremely difficult phase, with the elected government having to navigate a challenging situation while functioning with limited powers.

Dr Farooq Abdullah made these comments while addressing an impressive one-day party convention held in Baramulla today. The convention was attended by Party General Secretary Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar, Cabinet Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, Provincial President Showkat Mir, North Zone President and MLA Uri Sajjad Shafi Uri, MLA Gulmarg Farooq Shah, MLA Pattan Javid Riyaz Bedar, MLA Baramulla Javed Hassan Baig, MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar, Minority Cell Convener Jagdish Singh Azad, senior leader Khawaja Mohammad Yaqoob Wani, Baramulla District President Adv Shahid Ali, Women’s Wing District President Adv Nilofer Masood, Musrat Kar, Safeena Baig, Adv Jahangir Yaqoob Wani and other party functionaries.

Dr Farooq said that the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister had made commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir regarding delimitation, elections and restoration of statehood thereafter. However, despite the passage of two years, statehood had not been restored.

Criticising the delimitation exercise carried out in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Farooq said that it had been designed to benefit a particular political party. He pointed out that six Assembly seats had been added in Jammu, while Kashmir received only one additional seat. He said the BJP had benefited from the additional seats in Jammu and won all of them.

He also questioned the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, stating that instead of providing separate parliamentary constituencies for the Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions, Rajouri and Poonch had been attached to the Anantnag constituency. This, he said, had disregarded the geographical realities and public needs of the region.

During the convention, several political and social figures joined the party. They included Er Tariq Ahmad Magloo, President of the Trade Federation, Baramulla; Zahid Miraj Baluroo, former PHE trade union leader; Miraj-ud-Din Raina, Vice President of the Band Saw Mills Association, Baramulla; Ameer-ul-Haq Masoodi, former trade union leader from Baramulla; Ghulam Rasool Malik, former PDP Zonal President, Wagoora-Kreeri; and Ravinder Singh, former Employees' Schemes trade union leader.
The new entrants were welcomed into the party and greeted with floral garlands.

Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the policies pursued by New Delhi had sought to keep the people of Jammu and Kashmir dependent rather than enable them to become self-reliant. He said that people could protect their dignity, honour and rights only when they stood on their own feet. For this, he stressed the need to maintain unity and follow the path shown by Almighty Allah.
He said the present circumstances would not last forever.

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir had endured hardships and oppression under different historical periods, including Afghan, Sikh, Mughal and Dogra rule, and had eventually emerged from those difficult times. The hardships of the present era, too, would not last forever," he said.

Emphasising that unity was essential for securing people's rights, Dr Farooq Abdullah regretted that attempts were still being made to divide the collective voice of the people.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHe said that while the number of political parties in Jammu remained limited, numerous parties had emerged in Kashmir, with new political outfits being created at every turn. He said that these efforts were aimed at weakening the Kashmiri people's voice and fragmenting their electoral mandate.

Reaffirming the party's commitment to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, Dr Farooq Abdullah said the National Conference would continue its struggle for the constitutional and democratic rights of the people.
He referred to the constitutional position of Article 370 and asserted that it had been accorded a permanent place in the Constitution of India. He said the National Conference remained committed to the restoration of these rights and expressed confidence that the people would ultimately succeed through unity and collective resolve.

Expressing concern over the treatment of minorities in different parts of the country, Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the homes, shops and mosques of minority communities, particularly Muslims, were being targeted in several areas, especially in states governed by the BJP.

Questioning those in Kashmir who openly or indirectly supported the BJP, he asked how their conscience allowed them to remain silent in the face of such developments. He said that the present rulers had severely undermined the secular character of Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir and its legislators were working to address public grievances despite limited powers and difficult circumstances. However, he regretted that certain quarters continued to portray the government as having done nothing. He said that such criticism was motivated by financial considerations.

Speaking about the role of the media, he said journalists were facing pressure and difficulties in bringing the truth before the public. He observed that if the media fully highlighted people's problems, journalists could face harassment and even be summoned to police stations.

Dr Farooq Abdullah also criticised the discontinuation of the official holiday commemorating the martyrs of July 13, 1931, and said that historical sacrifices and public sentiments deserved respect.

Questioning the existing system under LG, he said that leadership familiar with the aspirations of the people and the local realities of Jammu and Kashmir should have a meaningful role in decision-making.

Criticising the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the party had devastated Jammu and Kashmir through its alliance with the BJP. He said that the same PDP leaders were now attempting to project themselves as sympathisers of the people. He said they should be reminded that many of the difficulties being faced by the people today were the consequence of the decisions taken under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti.

Dr Farooq urged the people to rise above mutual differences, maintain unity and continue their peaceful and democratic struggle for their rights. He also called upon them to pray to Almighty Allah for courage, perseverance and strength.
He said that without a united public voice, the struggle for rights would remain difficult, adding that unity was the foundation of a dignified and empowered future for Jammu and Kashmir.(KNS)