Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 5: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday alleged that the BJP could replicate the Jammu and Kashmir model in other states if it remains in power, claiming the 2019 reorganisation of the erstwhile state was a "practice ground" for weakening India's federal structure.

Speaking at the launch of MDMK leader Vaiko's book Vaiko in Parliament, attended by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and several Opposition leaders, Abdullah criticised the Centre's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status and downgrade the state into two Union Territories.

"Look at Jammu and Kashmir, a state converted into a Union Territory, completely against the fundamental laws. They are going to do this to other states also if they remain in power. Kashmir has been the practice ground," Abdullah said.

His remarks came a day before the seventh anniversary of the Centre's August 5, 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370 and bifurcate the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Renewing his demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, Abdullah said the elected government in the Union Territory had "hardly any powers", with authority remaining concentrated in the hands of the Centre.

"When we ask for the restoration of statehood, they say it will be done. But when? How long must we wait? Unless you trust the people, you cannot make this country great," he said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also questioned the functioning of constitutional institutions, saying the Election Commission should function independently and the judiciary should be more autonomous.

Abdullah further criticised the government's economic claims, arguing that despite aspirations of becoming the world's third-largest economy, nearly 80 crore people continue to depend on free foodgrain schemes. Referring to the recent police action against students protesting in Delhi, he alleged that such incidents reflected an increasing trend towards authoritarian governance.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary M.A. Baby, who also addressed the event, described the August 5, 2019 decision as an "unconstitutional assault" on Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that the Centre bypassed constitutional procedures by dissolving the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly before revoking the region's special status.

Echoing Abdullah's concerns, Baby claimed the precedent could be extended to other states, including Tamil Nadu, and called for Opposition unity to safeguard the Constitution, democratic institutions and India's federal structure.