National Conference Chief and sitting Parliamentarian from Srinagar, Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday spent some quality time with his son and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Hari Niwas sub-jail in Srinagar after a gap of more than seven months.

Dr Abdullah had sought formal permission from the local authorities to meet his son lodged in Hari Niwas sub-jail.

After receiving the nod, Dr Abdullah, accompanied by his wife and daughter,drove straight to Hari Niwas to meet Omar.

According to official sources, the meeting between the two lasted around one hour. Images of Omar, stepping out of the guest house in the company of his parents,  went viral on various social media platforms. Omar,sporting a long beard, was seen escorting his parents on the steps of the Hari Niwas.

Later in the day,Dr Abdullah met Congress leader  Ghulam Nabi Azad and several other party workers at his Gupkar road residence. Leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha arrived in Srinagar early morning and drove straight to the  Gupkar road residence of Farooq Abdullah.

 After the two-hour-long meeting, Azad called for the restoration of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir and release of all political leaders.

“First and foremost, democracy should be restored in J&K for any political process to start,” Azad told reporters.

He also called for the release of all leaders and individuals, including former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti who have been detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).

Democracy can be restored once all the leaders behind bars – either in jails or in guest houses or under particular act – are released. Let every individual of J&K be released from jail. Let the political process start… Let democracy prevail and then we can pick up other fights,” he said.

Azad also sought restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

While Dr Abdullah acknowledged the sweet gesture and remained tight lipped Azad lambasted the Centre over its decision to scrap Article 370 and declare J&K a union territory.

In an indirect reference to a newly established political party, Azad said an agency-backed party won't survive there. “Only parties which are backed by people can flourish here,” Azad said.

Sharing his thoughts with media persons, Azad  claimed, “It is the happiest moment to meet Dr. Abdullah after seven months. He is a friend. Besides, I met him on behalf of those who raised voice against the detention of these leaders since August last year either in parliament or at different platforms,"  

“I have come on behalf of all those who have been raising voice in the parliament and other places against the detention of politicians,” Azad said accusing the government of committing excesses against Dr Abdullah by putting him in house arrest for over last seven months.

India, Azad said, is known in the world for its democracy not for keeping former elected chief ministers in jails for seven and half months.