Omar Abdullah says defending Article 35A isn't 'anti-national'

National Conference (NC) working president Omar Abdullah has said that the party would move the Supreme Court to make them a private party in connection with the Article 35A case.

Abdullah on Tuesday further said that defending the provision cannot be an "anti-national" act, extending the NC's campaign for safeguarding Article 35A of the Constitution to the border district of Rajouri.

"The National Conference will appeal the Supreme Court to make us a private party in the 35A case. We will fight to save Article 35A," Abdullah added, while addressing the party workers in Darhal in Rajouri.

Lashing out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Abdullah wondered why questions were being raised at the National Conference for opposing the "clandestine moves" of repealing Article 35A, which serves as a Constitutional guarantee to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh for preserving their distinct identity and dignity, irrespective of religion or caste.

"As long as the National Conference flag is fluttering high across Jammu and Kashmir, Article 35A will remain a part of the Constitution," he asserted.