Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah has reiterated his stance on the importance of dialogue for peace in the region, despite facing significant criticism for his remarks.
Abdullah emphasized his hope for a change in the central government following the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, expressing his belief that a new administration would be more inclined to pursue dialogue with Pakistan.
“Even though I have been labeled a Pakistani, Khalistani, and American agent, I will not stop advocating for dialogue between India and Pakistan,” Abdullah stated. He added, “When I talk about dialogue, they call me a Pakistani, Khalistani, and American agent. But I will not stop my voice. I pray we see good Lok Sabha election results with a new government in Delhi and the current dispensation being ousted. Then we will also push for dialogue as the only way forward. If this does not happen, the result will be ruin.”
Abdullah stressed that Jammu and Kashmir will not see peace until India and Pakistan realize that war is no longer a viable solution.
Following recent shooting incidents in Shopian and Anantnag, Abdullah called for an international investigation into the killings. “I had said that until terrorism stops, there won’t be any talks with our neighboring country (Pakistan). We need their cooperation. We need to identify those coming here and killing innocents. International pressure must be created, and international investigating agencies must probe the matter,” he said in an interview.
The former chief minister also expressed his desire for assembly elections in the Union Territory to be conducted soon. “When parliamentary elections can be conducted peacefully here, why can’t Assembly elections be conducted? I think Assembly elections will take place after the Amarnath Yatra concludes this year,” Abdullah said.
Criticizing the BJP, Abdullah alleged that they intend to change the Constitution. “I regret to say that they (BJP) control the Election Commission. They have the entire administration. They claim they will not change the Constitution, but they say one thing and do another. They do intend to change the Constitution,” he asserted.
Regarding the INDIA bloc, Abdullah emphasized that their fight is not for power but to address the issues faced by the people. “I hope the people understand our motive and why we are fighting. Our fight is not for the chair but to use it to eradicate poverty and address inflation and unemployment,” he stated.
On May 6, Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah’s son and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, expressed hope that the governments of India and Pakistan will create an environment conducive to dialogue. Responding to a query, he said, “The National Conference has always maintained that all matters (between India and Pakistan) should be resolved through dialogue. As Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji said: ‘We can change our friends, but we can’t change our neighbors.’ Pakistan is, was, and will remain our neighbor. We have to create an environment for dialogue, and it is the responsibility of both countries.”
