‘Kashmir Was Practice Ground’: Farooq Abdullah Warns BJP Could Convert Other States Into UTs

Published 5 August 2026 · local

News india ‘Kashmir Was Practice Ground’: Farooq Abdullah Warns BJP Could Convert Other States Into UTs ‘Kashmir Was Practice Ground’: Farooq Abdullah Warns BJP Could

News india ‘Kashmir Was Practice Ground’: Farooq Abdullah Warns BJP Could Convert Other States Into UTs ‘Kashmir Was Practice Ground’: Farooq Abdullah Warns BJP Could Convert Other States Into UTs Published By, Last Updated: August 05, 2026, 09:30 IST Farooq Abdullah renewed his demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, saying the elected government in the Union Territory had "hardly any powers". Rapid Read Farooq Abdullah at the launch of the book "Vaiko in Parliament". Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah has said that the BJP could carry out a Jammu and Kashmir-like reorganisation in other states if it remains in power, arguing that the 2019 changes in the erstwhile state had wider implications for India’s federal structure. While speaking at the launch of MDMK leader Vaiko’s book Vaiko in Parliament, attended by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and several Opposition leaders on Tuesday, Abdullah said that Jammu and Kashmir had become a “practice ground" for what he described as an assault on the country’s federal structure. “Look at Jammu & Kashmir, a state converted to Union Territory, completely against the fundemental laws. And they are going to do this to other states also, be sure about it, if they remain in power. It is the practice ground that Kashmir has been. I can’t imagine that the crown of India has been reduced to a Union Territory," he said.

#WATCH | Delhi: At the launch of the book “Vaiko in Parliament", JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah says, “Look at Jammu & Kashmir, a state converted to Union Territory, completely against the fundemental laws. And they are going to do this to other states also, be sure about it, if they… pic.twitter.com/KqfkIMvB99— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2026 The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister emphasised that India’s diversity could survive only if states stood together. 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. Abdullah renewed his demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, saying the elected government in the Union Territory had “hardly any powers" and that authority remained concentrated with the Centre. He also questioned the delay in restoring statehood, saying people needed to be trusted for the country to progress. “There is an elected Govt with hardly any powers. The power lies with the Centre. When we cry and say restore our statehood, they say ‘Yes, we will do so’. But when will you do it? How long have we to wait? Unless you trust people, you are not going to make this country great. That is what we lack, the trust factor is not there," he added.