Article 370 was not meant for Kashmir, but for Dogras: Farooq Abdullah

Jammu : National Conference president, Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday that Maharajas had come up with Article 370 provision in 1927 to protect the land of Dogras.

Addressing workers in Jammu, Farooq Abdullah, as per the news agency, said that there were apprehensions that Punjab residents will settle in Jammu and Kashmir, thus Article 370 was brought in a century ago to protect the land of Dogras.

“It was not brought for Kashmiris, but for Dogras. Nobody will come to Kashmir as they are afraid of Muslims,” he said.

He further added that a propaganda is being created that Hindus are in danger, but the fact is nobody can threaten 80 per cent population.

“There is no threat from outside the country but India at present is facing internal threats,” he said. He also asked workers to think about what they have lost and what they have gained.

He also slammed the Peoples Democratic Party, stating that it was late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who formed the coalition government and brought the Bharatiya Janta Party to Jammu and Kashmir.

“We (NC), Congress and other parties had approached him for extending our support, but he refused and formed the coalition government with the BJP. The party should introspect and look within what it has done,” he said.

He also stated that nobody can dictate the present dispensation as Omar Abdullah-led government is committed to work for the welfare of the people—(KNO)