Says NC will continue struggle for constitutional, democratic rights
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that nations inevitably face hardships and trials, but such challenges are tests of faith, resilience, and perseverance, and urged the people not to lose hope, adding that difficulties are temporary and eventually give way to better times.
Addressing a grand National Conference convention held at Naseem Bagh to mark the 26th death anniversary of Madar-e-Meherban Begum Akbar Jehan, Dr Farooq said that the National Conference has consistently appealed to every government at the Centre to ensure justice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, whenever the Centre had the opportunity, it weakened Article 370 instead of honouring the constitutional relationship with the region.
Referring to former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, Dr Abdullah recalled that PM Rao had publicly assured the world that the shortcomings relating to Article 370 would be addressed and had famously declared that, within the framework of the Constitution of India, “Sky is the Limit” in granting greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. He further said that during a meeting with the Prime Minister in 2021, he had candidly remarked that there was a trust deficit between New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Although assurances were given that the distance between Delhi and Kashmir would be bridged, no meaningful progress has been made in that direction to this day.
Dr Abdullah asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of India and its people deserve dignity and respect. He said that successive promises made to the people were repeatedly broken. “We are not asking for anything outside the Constitution of India. We are only demanding the restoration of our dignity, constitutional safeguards, and democratic rights,” he said.
The National Conference President reiterated that his party has never surrendered in the face of adversity and remains steadfast in its struggle for the rights of the people. He described the National Conference as a party of the poor, the marginalized, and the common people, committed to protecting their interests at every stage.
Addressing political leaders whom he accused of acting at the behest of New Delhi, Dr Abdullah said that if they truly cared for the people of Kashmir, they should abandon the politics of subservience, warning that a day would come when they would no longer be accepted by the people of this land.
Praising the performance of the present National Conference government, Dr Abdullah said that despite severe constraints, limited powers, and numerous obstacles, the government has delivered exemplary public service and introduced a new direction in governance across various sectors. He said that National Conference legislators are working tirelessly to address public grievances, even though political opponents refuse to acknowledge these achievements.
Dr Abdullah also alleged that attempts were once again being made to weaken the National Conference through political horse-trading. Recalling the events of 1984, he said that those who participated in the politics of defections disappeared from the political landscape within two years and are remembered by no one today.
Reaffirming the party’s commitment, Dr Farooq Abdullah vowed that the National Conference would continue its struggle to alleviate the hardships of the people and work tirelessly for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional, democratic, and political rights.
Earlier, special prayers, Quran Khawani, Fateha Khawani, and floral tributes were offered at the mausoleums of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Madar-e-Meherban Begum Akbar Jehan. The prayers were led by noted Islamic scholar Dr Prof. Mohammad Tayyub Kamili, Imam of Alamdar-e-Kashmir. A separate commemorative function was held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan, where party leaders paid rich tributes to Madar-e-Meharban and recalled her historic contributions. Similar commemorative programmes were organized across Jammu and Kashmir, including Leh, Kargil, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Gool, Ramban, Zanskar, and several other places.
Facts Only
* Dr. Farooq Abdullah addressed a National Conference convention at Naseem Bagh.
* The event marked the 26th death anniversary of Madar-e-Meherban Begum Akbar Jehan.
* The National Conference has appealed to the Centre for justice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
* The speaker noted that the Centre weakened Article 370 instead of honoring constitutional relations with the region when it had opportunity.
* Dr. Abdullah recalled P.V. Narasimha Rao's assurance that within the Constitution, greater autonomy was possible for Jammu and Kashmir.
* He mentioned a 2021 meeting where he noted a trust deficit between New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
* The speaker asserted that the demand is for the restoration of dignity, constitutional safeguards, and democratic rights, not demands outside the Constitution.
* The National Conference maintains its commitment to the struggle for Kashmiri rights despite adversity.
* Dr. Abdullah accused political leaders of acting at the behest of New Delhi.
* He praised the current National Conference government for public service despite constraints.
* He alleged attempts to weaken the National Conference through political horse-trading, recalling events of 1984.
Executive Summary
Dr. Farooq Abdullah, President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, addressed a National Conference convention in Srinagar to discuss the ongoing struggle for constitutional, democratic rights in Jammu and Kashmir. He framed current hardships as tests of faith, resilience, and perseverance, asserting that difficulties are temporary and will lead to better times. The speaker noted that the National Conference has consistently sought justice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir from the central government, observing that the Centre has historically weakened Article 370 rather than upholding constitutional relationships.
Dr. Abdullah referenced former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's public assurances regarding Article 370, recalling a statement about "Sky is the Limit" within the Constitution for greater autonomy. He further expressed a trust deficit between New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, noting that despite assurances to bridge the distance, meaningful progress has been lacking. The speaker asserted that the demand is not for anything outside the Constitution but for the restoration of dignity, constitutional safeguards, and democratic rights.
The National Conference leader maintained the party's steadfast commitment to the struggle for Kashmiri rights, describing the organization as committed to protecting the interests of the poor and marginalized. He also addressed political leaders, accusing them of acting on behalf of New Delhi, urging them to abandon subservience if they truly cared for the people. Finally, he acknowledged the achievements of the current government in delivering public service despite constraints, while simultaneously alleging attempts to weaken the National Conference through political maneuvering, referencing events from 1984 concerning defections.
Full Take
The narrative centers on a persistent tension between constitutional promises and political implementation in Jammu and Kashmir. The speaker constructs an argument based on historical assurances—from P.V. Narasimha Rao to the broader framework of the Constitution—against a perceived pattern of state action that undermines regional autonomy, specifically concerning Article 370. This creates a dynamic where demands for dignity and rights are framed as remedial actions against institutional inertia and political expediency rather than purely legal claims.
A key implication lies in the contrast between the aspirational rhetoric of constitutionalism ("Sky is the Limit") and the lived reality characterized by broken promises and an acknowledged trust deficit. The reference to past political maneuvering, such as the events of 1984 involving defections, introduces a layer of skepticism regarding the motives behind current political alignments, suggesting that perceived progress or deadlock is often driven by internal power plays rather than genuine public welfare.
The pattern suggests a struggle over the definition of sovereignty: whether rights are derived solely from constitutional text or require active, persistent assertion against centralized power structures. The discourse shifts between appeals to shared moral values (dignity, respect) and concrete political demands (restoration of safeguards). The question becomes: how do institutional frameworks reconcile aspirational federalism with centralized administrative control when trust is fractured? What mechanisms exist for translating historical assurances into verifiable contemporary constitutional realities?
Sentinel — Human
This text reads like a transcript or summary of a political address, characterized by rhetorical urgency and emotionally driven argumentation rather than objective journalistic distance.