Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday hit out atthe Modi government for keeping former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister FarooqAbdullah under detention for seven months, alleging that “despotism andarbitrariness” constitute the rule of law in the Union Territory.
Chidambaram’s attack on the government came after Abdullahwas released following the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s revoking of thestringent Public Safety Act (PSA) against the former chief minister.
“Dr Farooq Abdullah, welcome to freedom. What was thejustification to keep him in detention without charges for 7 months? If therewas justification (there was none), what is the reason for releasing himtoday?” Chidambaram said.
“Despotism and arbitrariness constitute the Rule of Lawin J&K. And this virus is spreading to many states in India,” theformer home minister said.
Abdullah was under detention since August 5 last year whenthe Centre abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated itinto two union territories.
The former J&K chief minister thanked parliamentarianswho “fought for my freedom” from detention and said he will be ableto take a decision on future only after other leaders are released.
Abdullah also expressed hope that he would be able to attendParliament.
“I am free… Hope others political leaders would bereleased soon. Thank all parliamentarians who fought for my freedom. Will beable to take decision on future only after other leaders are released,”Abdullah, the Lok Sabha member from Srinagar, told reporters from the terraceof his residence here.