National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Friday visited the residence of the Aga family in Budgam to offer condolences over a bereavement in the family.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the visit, Dr. Abdullah reiterated his long-standing demand for the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He asserted, “Statehood is our right, not a favour.”
Dr. Abdullah emphasized that the people of Jammu & Kashmir have been deprived of their democratic and constitutional rights for far too long. He said the restoration of full statehood is vital to uphold the dignity, identity, and autonomy of the region.
“Restoring statehood is not merely a political necessity, but a moral obligation that must be fulfilled without delay,” he said, calling for a return to democratic processes and accountability.
Welcoming the recent initiative by senior Congress leaders, Dr. Abdullah said, “I welcome Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for writing to the Prime Minister regarding the restoration of statehood.” “Statehood is our right, not a favour.” he added (KNS)