Farooq Abdullah sheds ‘skin', announces NC's solidarity with Kashmir Separatists

NL Correspondent

SRINAGAR: What could storm a major controversy the separatists in Kashmir valley finally got a big push on Monday when the National Conference chief Dr Farooq Abdullah announced support them in their cause. By expressing his and his Party's solidarity with separatists, the Hurriyat, he has shed his ‘mainstream skin' and emerged his true colors.

“I want to tell separatists not to go separate but be united and we are standing with you.  Don't consider us as your enemies.  As long as you (separatists) won't follow the wrong path, we will support you in this cause,” Farooq said in his address while paying tributes to NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 111th birth anniversary at his mausoleum here.

He appealed the Hurriyat leaders to remain united saying his party supports them in this cause.

“I want to tell you that you (Hurriyat) move forward, we are with you and give right direction to the nation. Otherwise, miseries will befall. The issue is not whether I am with Hurriyat or not. This agitation which is demanding the rights of the people of Kashmir, NC is with them on this to the extent they are talking about people's rights.”

“If we won't remain united then they will buy us,” Farooq said without naming anybody. “It is very important that we are united like a fist. Till then, I tell you, we will not succeed,” Farooq said. He said during the last five months, people have been fighting for their rights and the NC will support them in this cause.

The NC President asked the party workers to be part of the ‘Tehreek'. “We are part of Tehreek. The NC has always fought for the interests of Jammu and Kashmir.”

The NC leader said some people were indulging in propaganda that Kashmiris will achieve freedom. “What freedom they are talking about as many people are in languishing in jails, so many have been injured and some blinded. Yesterday, they went to a place arrested more than 50 youth.  (But) they cannot cow us down. Remember, till this fire is here, it cannot be extinguished till India and Pakistan do justice with people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The more they try to extinguish this fire, it will rise more.”

Narrating an incident where a youth was killed near Kathi Darwaza in old city Srinagar in 1931, Farooq said, “When the youth was taking his last breath, Sheikh Sahab (Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah) took him in his lap.  The youth told Sheikh Sahab that he sacrificed his life for the cause and now it was your (Sheikh Abdullah) job to fight for people's rights. So don't flee away but think about the future and how to come out of these crisis and people get their rights.”

Farooq Abdullah also slammed to those who held NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah responsible for acceding with India.

“The instrument of accession was signed by Maharaja Hari Singh under which New Delhi will have control on three things-defence, communication and foreign affairs- when Sheikh Sahab was in a jail. Had Pakistan not invaded then Kashmir, Maharaja would have freed Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and the state would have been a bridge between India and Pakistan. It was also agreed that when India and Pakistan withdraw troops from both sides there will be a plebiscite and people will have right to decide their future,” he said.

Referring a complaint which has been filed in a UP court against Farooq  Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah for allegedly making ‘anti-India' remarks, Farooq claimed that he had said nothing ‘anti-national'.

“The Kashmir issue is not my creation. This issue is since 1948, it is not anything new. It is still in UN Security Council. It is in the agreement between India and Pakistan which Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister of India and Zulfikar Bhutto as Prime Minister of Pakistan signed that Kashmir issue would be resolved through dialogue. I think Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishes to solve the issue and I am sure India will talk to Pakistan one day and find a solution because there is no other alternative.  Both countries should restrain as people get killed from both sides of Kashmir when border skirmishes happen.”

Taking on Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, the NC President she  used to go to the homes of those who died during NC tenure and claimed that her party will change the system if it comes to power. “Two people were recently killed in south Kashmir and what happened to her healing touch. During elections the PDP befooled the people that they will keep BJP out of the state but it was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who joined hands with them and brought the RSS here.”

Similarly he said Narendra Modi was “befooling” people of Indian that he will stop water from flowing into Pakistan. “Which rivers has he stopped water from, which are already with them – Ravi, Sutlej and Beas. They are 100 per cent their's. Our three are Chenab, Jhelum and Sindh (Indus). Land is under them (India) and water under Pakistan. I want to see whether he can stop water of these rivers. But people of India are like us, they do not  know what is happening in Kashmir. They only know what media tells them.”

He asked the party workers to strengthen the party and seek forgiveness from the God to take JK out of difficult times. “We should stop fighting on the sectarian lines.”

He also prayed for the speedy recovery of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalita, who suffered a heart attack on Sunday evening.

Senior NC leaders including Omar Abdullah, Mustafa Kamal and Ali Mohammad Sagar were present on the occasion.