Independent Kashmir is no option, decrees Farooq
Srinagar: Former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Farooq Abdullah today ruled out ‘independent Kashmir’ as an option if the Kashmir conundrum is resolved. He said that the Kashmir problem is a bone of contention between India and Pakistan and both countries have to talk to each other to resolve the dispute.
“We are landlocked and surrounded by nuclear powers like China, Pakistan and India,” said the former Chief Minister.
“There is nothing like freedom here. We are landlocked. On one side we have China, Pakistan on the other side and India on the third side. All three of them have atom bombs. We have nothing except Allah’s name. Those who are talking about Azadi are talking wrong,” he told journalists on the sidelines of a function at the party headquarters in Srinagar.
Referring to the separatists, Abdullah said “those who are talking about Azadi are talking wrong’.
Elaborating, he said “I tell them in plain terms – not only the people of India but also to the world – that the part which is with Pakistan (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and this side to India. This won’t change. Let them fight how many wars they want to. And when the situation is such, then they have to talk, so that we live in peace”.
Abdullah said that India betrayed Kashmiris. “India didn’t treat us well. India betrayed us. They didn’t recognize the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir,” he said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister also renewed the demand for restoration of internal autonomy of the state. “Internal autonomy is our right. They should restore it. Only then the peace will return.”
He reminded the Union government of the Instrument of Accession signed by the Maharaja with the Government of India. “You don’t remember the instrument of accession and claim the other side of Kashmir administered by Pakistan. If that side is our then you should talk about the accession too. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded,” said Abdullah.
Referring to the statement of Minister of State for Home affairs, Hansraj Ahir, Abdullah reminded the Centre of the Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh with the Government of India.
“You don’t remember the instrument of accession and claim the other side of Kashmir administered by Pakistan. If that side is ours then you should talk about the accession too. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded,” Abdullah said.
Ahir had stated that Pakistan administered Kashmir was an integral part of India as per the agreement signed by Maharaja Hari Singh.
KV Correspondent
