GUWAHATI, Sept 17 - Criticising the detention of former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah under the Public Safety Act (PSA), ex-chief minister Tarun Gogoi today accused the Narendra Modi-led Central government of misuse of power and violation of provisions of the Constitution.
Gogoi said the government has grossly violated the constitutional provisions safeguarding the life, liberty and dignity of every citizen of India. Such a draconian measure is nothing but a great threat for the survival of democracy and it has precisely exposed the dictatorial attitude of the Modi government, Gogoi said in a statement.
Accusing the Centre of mishandling of the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, Gogoi said the condition there has deteriorated.
Putting Farooq Abdullah under PSA has proved that the situation in that State has deteriorated, the former chief minister said. Such measures only give oxygen to Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, for his political survival and further attack and criticism by the people of Jammu & Kashmir, he added.
Gogoi said the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and the decision to bifurcate Jammu & Kashmir into two separate Union Territories without taking into confidence the stakeholders concerned is contrary to the basic principle of democracy.
Such an arbitrary decision in a democratic country like India is not a healthy sign and for healthy functioning of democracy, the opinion of the opposition parties should also be taken into consideration, Gogoi said.
