Kashmir is fighting a political movement, says Farooq
Srinagar: Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday said that Kashmir is fighting a political movement to get back what the state already had, however, it has been snatched from us.
“Whatever is going on here is not an Islamic movement. It is a political movement. Political movement for returning what we have and what we had. It is not an Islamic movement nor are we fighting for Pakistan,” he said.
The senior NC leader who was re-elected its President a day before said that there is no other Indian state that acceded to India.
“These states merged with India. We acceded with India on some conditions. India should not link us with other states. This is wrong to link us with other states. I have told this to many Prime Ministers in past. Do you remember what Narsimha Rao as Prime Minister said in the Parliament? He said as far as autonomy is concerned-Sky is the limit, but no Azadi,” Farooq added.
“We want autonomy to be restored. This is within the Indian Constitution. I am asking for autonomy and not asking for the moon,” he said.
The senior Abdullah defended that remarks of P. Chadambaram about autonomy and said that Indian Prime Minister Narendar Modi is absolutely wrong.
“I heard what Chidambaram said and I feel Prime Minister is absolutely wrong. Chidambaram is correct in asserting that majority of the people in Kashmir want autonomy. If Government of India will deny the same, then not far are the days when people will shout for Azadi,” he said.
Farooq also questioned BJP’s point man on Kashmir, Ram Madhavs understanding of Kashmir.
“Ram Madhav does not Know Kashmir. He knows RSS and BJP. He doesn’t know Kashmir. He has been planking. He should look into the history of Kashmir rather than speak about it,” Abdullah said.
Responding to a question on the report tabled by the former interlocutors, Farooq Abdullah said that the report of Former Interlocutor Deleep Padgonkar is with Home Ministry of India. Let the Home Ministry put the report before Parliament. Why arn’t they putting it before the Parliament rather than sending a another man to talk to everybody. It is failure from the start. Home Minister says one thing. The man in PMO says another thing. Deputy Home Minister says third thing. We are all confused that is what Dineshwar Sharma is coming to Jammu and Kashmir for. He has already sent me an invitation. My working president Omar Abdullah has also received an invitation. Our party will meet him. It is not necessary that I should meet him. Omar Abdullah will certainly meet him and put our point before him,” he said.
“We are going to defend Article 35A. There is no change in our mind about that. During my father’s rule, a law was passed under which 90 years lease option was given to outsiders who would set up industry here and that lease would be extended further. It’s a renewable thing. How many of these allottees have set up the industry here. And what for they want to purchase land in Kashmir,” he questioned. (CNS)
KV Correspondent
