# August 9 a black day in J&K history, says Farooq Abdullah 2026-08-09T23:49:41+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday termed August 9, 1953 a black day in Jammu and Kashmir's history, recalling the arrest of then prime minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. He called on the Union government to restore statehood as a first step toward a reset in Centre-J&K relations based on mutual trust, democratic principles and constitutional guarantees. Abdullah said the 1953 political coup shattered people's faith in constitutional assurances and created a trust deficit that remains unhealed. He demanded that restoration of statehood begin a wider process of rights restoration, justice, dignity and mutual respect for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. ## Coverage - greaterkashmir.com Tags: Centre-J&K relations, Farooq Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference, Sheikh Abdullah, statehood Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/august-9-a-black-day-in-jk-history-says-farooq-abdullah/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/august-9-a-black-day-in-jk-history-says-farooq-abdullah/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.