Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah was seen reading the Koran and praying five times in the lawns of his house-turned-sub-jail on Gupkar Road in Srinagar on Friday, as his detention entered a 47th day.
With his house sandwiched between his younger sister Suraiya Abdullah’s residence ‘Solomon Heights’ and elder daughter Safiya Khan’s home, Dr. Abdullah is able to exchange greetings with them almost on a daily basis now.
Dr. Abdullah’s daughter is allowed “to help him with his daily dose of medication,” family sources said.
Dr. Abdullah’s sister Suraiya said her brother was in “good spirits”. “He prays five times a day,” said Ms. Abdullah.
The doors connecting Dr. Abdullah’s residence with those of his sister and daughter have been shut for now. “Entry from the front door is only allowed,” the family members said.
They said Dr. Abdullah has access to television but receives no newspapers. However, former chief secretary Musa Raza’s book ‘Land of Regrets’ is giving him company.
The sitting Member of Parliament from Srinagar was detained under the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA) on September 16 for his “provocative and secessionist speeches” made in the past.
Family members told The Hindu that his case was being discussed with senior lawyers in order to challenge the grounds of detention. “We are weighing all the options,” said a family member, speaking on condition of anonymity.
