Farooq Abdullah Says Pakistan Is Protecting Kashmiris, Sparks Political Row
By : Sheikh Mohammad Isa
National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah has sparked a political controversy after claiming that Pakistan is protecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir by raising the Kashmir issue at international forums. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Abdullah made the remarks while addressing party workers at a gathering in Baramulla. He accused the Indian Government of having questionable intentions towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir and said international pressure had restrained New Delhi.
“Our neighbour is constantly after them. They are going everywhere to take up the issue of Kashmir. Our neighbour is protecting us. Otherwise their intentions were not right,” Abdullah said.
He urged people not to expect justice from the Centre without continuing their struggle for political and constitutional rights.
“What can you expect from Delhi? Do you expect them to deliver justice for you? Have the courage to fight, or you will be wiped out, and your identity will disappear,” he said.
Farooq Abdullah Reiterates Demand for Article 370
The NC president reaffirmed his party’s commitment to restoring Article 370 and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Article 370 was revoked by the Centre in August 2019, ending the erstwhile state’s special constitutional status. Abdullah said his party would continue its struggle through democratic means to regain what it considers the region’s lost constitutional rights.
He said Jammu and Kashmir was passing through a difficult period, with the elected government operating under limited powers and people facing challenges in protecting their political interests.
Abdullah also criticised the Centre for failing to fulfil its reported commitment to restore statehood after delimitation and Assembly elections.
“We are going through tough times. In Delhi, we were promised statehood after delimitation and elections, but that is nowhere,” he said.
NC Chief Questions Delimitation Exercise
Abdullah also questioned the delimitation exercise carried out in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that it had favoured a particular political party.
He pointed out that six Assembly seats had been added in the Jammu region compared with one in Kashmir, claiming that the BJP benefited from the additional seats in Jammu.
He also questioned the decision to include Rajouri and Poonch districts in the Anantnag parliamentary constituency. He argued that separate parliamentary constituencies should have been created for the Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions to reflect their geographical conditions and public concerns.
The NC chief alleged that the emergence of multiple political parties was weakening the collective political voice of the people, particularly in Kashmir.
He called on people to rise above religious and sectarian differences and work together to safeguard their interests.
Farooq Abdullah Criticises PDP and BJP Alliance
Abdullah criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing it of contributing to the loss of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status through its alliance with the BJP.
He referred to former chief ministers Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti while questioning the political decisions taken during their leadership.
The NC president also expressed concern over what he described as attacks on minority communities, particularly Muslims, in different parts of the country. He alleged that homes, shops and mosques had been targeted in several areas, especially in BJP-governed states.
He further voiced concern over what he described as a weakening of Jammu and Kashmir’s secular character.
“We do not want to go against the country, but we want to tell them to change themselves,” he said.
Abdullah maintained that the National Conference had never questioned the Indian identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We never said we are not Indians, but we keep on reiterating that we have joined Gandhi’s India, Nehru’s India,” he said.
Calls for Greater Public Representation
The former chief minister called for leaders who understand the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir’s people to have a meaningful role in decision-making.
He questioned the existing administrative arrangement under the Lieutenant Governor and said public concerns should be reflected more effectively in governance.
Defending the elected government and its legislators, Abdullah said they were working to address public grievances despite limited powers and difficult circumstances.
He also criticised the discontinuation of the official holiday commemorating the martyrs of July 13, 1931, arguing that their sacrifices and the sentiments associated with the day deserved respect.
Abdullah said his political objective was not to seek power for its own sake but to protect the rights of the people and address their problems.
He urged the younger generation to understand Jammu and Kashmir’s political history and constitutional relationship with India.
Calling for unity, he encouraged people to continue their peaceful and democratic struggle, expressing confidence that their demands could eventually be achieved through collective efforts.
During the convention, several political and social figures joined the National Conference and were welcomed into the party. NC legislators also presented reports outlining their work and achievements over the previous two years.
