New Delhi, August 6: During a debate in Lok Sabha on scrapping of Article 370 that grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said National Conference MP Farooq Abdullah was "neither detained not arrested". When Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule pointed out the veteran leader's absence, Amit Shah said: "Farooq Abdullah neither detained nor arrested; he is at his home on his own will."

Farooq Abdullah, who is former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, accused Shah of lying in Parliament. "I was detained in my house... I feel sad that Home Minister can lie like this," the National Conference leader told a news channel. He also said he quoted Shah to security men who allegedly kept him detained. "I told them the home minister says I'm not detained. Who are you to detain me?" Abdullah said. Jammu and Kashmir Loses Privileges Under Article 370, Article 35A: What Does it Mean For Kashmiris and Other Indians?

The National Conference leader broke down while questioning the Modi government's move to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir. "They divided regions, will they divide hearts too? Will they divide Hindus and Muslims? I thought my India was for all, everyone who believes in secular, unity," Abdullah was quoted as saying. Jammu and Kashmir Order 2019: Read Full Text of Modi Government's Notification on Article 370 And Article 35A.

Hours after Shah announced the revocation of Article 370 in Rajya Sabha on Monday, former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, who were initially placed under house arrest, were arrested in Srinagar. Both the leaders were taken to Hari Niwas, a VVIP state guest house. There has been no word from the government on when they would be released.

They had come down heavily on the Modi government, while Mehbooba called it “the darkest day in the Indian democracy”, Omar termed it as a betrayal of the trust that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had reposed in India when the State acceded to it in 1947.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2019 04:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).