‘India’s intentions not right’: Farooq Abdullah credits Pakistan over Kashmir, recalls past massacres and warns J&K to unite against Delhi
Addressing a party workers’ convention in Baramulla Abdullah urged people to speak up for their rights, Abdullah called on them to confront those in power rather than remain silent.
Published: Oct 24, 2026, 05:11 PM IST
| Updated: Oct 24, 2026, 10:17 PM IST
Addressing a party workers’ convention in Baramulla Abdullah urged people to speak up for their rights, Abdullah called on them to confront those in power rather than remain silent.
National Conference (NC) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday alleged that the Indian government’s intentions towards Kashmiris were “not right”, crediting Pakistan with keeping the Kashmir issue alive at international forums. He also criticised the BJP-led Centre, questioned the actions of security forces during past incidents, accused sections of the media of suppressing the truth and urged people in Jammu and Kashmir to unite to protect their rights.
Addressing a party workers’ convention in Baramulla town in north Kashmir, Abdullah said international pressure and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts had helped ensure that the concerns of Kashmiris continued to receive attention.
“Pakistan is going to many places and talking about Kashmiris. That is why the people of Jammu and Kashmir are being saved. Otherwise, India’s intentions towards Kashmiris are not right,” he said.
Abdullah argued that the Centre remained silent because of international pressure and Pakistan’s continued efforts to highlight the unresolved Kashmir issue.
“What can you expect from them in Delhi? Do you expect them to deliver justice to you? Have the courage to stand up to them. If you don’t, you will be wiped out, and not even a trace of you will remain,” he said, urging people to speak up for their rights.
Abdullah questions past security operations
Recounting incidents from his tenure as Chief Minister, Abdullah questioned the conduct of security forces and police during past operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
He referred to an incident in Islamabad, now known as Anantnag, in which he said five people had been taken from a shop and killed. Abdullah said he had sought a judicial inquiry into the incident.
According to Abdullah, a group of people had crossed three military checkpoints without raising pro-Pakistan or anti-national slogans. Their demand, he said, was simply: “We want justice.”
He alleged that the then Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Inspector General had instructed the police to prevent the group from reaching Anantnag, following which the police opened fire.
Abdullah recalled travelling by helicopter with his Director General of Police, Jagat, after hearing about the incident in the Legislative Assembly. He said police officers had claimed that the group was armed and had fired at them, pointing to marks on the gates of the police station.
Questioning their account, Abdullah said he had challenged the officers over the direction of the bullet marks and accused them of firing the shots themselves. He described the incident as an example of the hardships witnessed during his time in office.
Recalls chithi Singhpora massacre
Abdullah also recalled the Chithi Singhpora massacre, in which 26 people were killed during the visit of then US President Bill Clinton to India.
He said he had been having dinner with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he received news of the killings.
“I could not eat. Clinton asked me, ‘Why aren’t you eating?’ How could I eat when my own brothers had been martyred?” Abdullah recalled.
He said he had immediately contacted then Punjab Chief Minister Badal Sahib and suggested that they visit the site together.
Abdullah described the scene he encountered, saying funeral pyres were burning when he arrived.
Attacks BJP-led centre over Kashmir policy and Article 370
Abdullah launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government, accusing it of acting against the interests of Kashmiris and creating difficulties for the people of the region.
Referring to the allocation of six seats, he alleged that the arrangement had been designed to secure a Member of Parliament of the government’s choosing. He claimed that efforts had been made to prevent Kashmiris from progressing and force them to struggle for their rights.
He also accused the Centre of targeting Muslims across the country, alleging that mosques were being demolished and homes and shops destroyed in areas governed by the BJP.
“How, then, can our own people align themselves with such forces?” he asked, urging people in Jammu and Kashmir to stand together and raise a united voice.
Abdullah said the people of the region had never denied their Indian identity and reiterated his commitment to what he described as the India of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
“We have never denied being Indian; rather, we have consistently affirmed our bond with India, the India of Gandhi, the India of Nehru,” he said.
He expressed concern over what he described as growing divisions between Hindus and Muslims, alleging that political interests were damaging the country’s future.
Abdullah also reiterated his opposition to the abrogation of Article 370, claiming that pressure had been exerted on the judiciary to remove the constitutional provision.
He said that, on two previous occasions when the matter had reached the Supreme Court, it had been maintained that Article 370 was not temporary because no plebiscite had taken place. He alleged that its removal under the current government was unlawful and lacked legal justification.
The NC president vowed to continue the fight for its restoration, saying he and future generations would keep pursuing the issue.
Farooq Abdullah accuses media of failing to report the truth
Abdullah also criticised sections of the media, alleging that some newspapers published reports to suit those in power and that journalists faced pressure that prevented them from reporting freely.
“They say it because they are being paid to do so. Their newspapers write these things daily because they are being paid to write them,” he said.
Pointing to journalists present at the gathering, Abdullah questioned whether they reported the truth and alleged that the police could intimidate reporters who spoke out.
“Do not delude yourselves into thinking you are free; you have become slaves,” he said.
He urged journalists to show greater courage and referred to a young woman from Kanpur who, he claimed, had called the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister a “scoundrel”.
Abdullah challenged journalists to speak fearlessly, arguing that they should fear Allah rather than those in positions of power. He said life and death were in God’s hands and urged the media not to allow intimidation to dictate its work.
Questions health sector delays, loss of institutional autonomy
The former Chief Minister also raised concerns about the functioning of Jammu and Kashmir’s health sector, alleging that files related to the department had remained pending in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for more than a year without a decision.
Referring to the service requirements for medical students, Abdullah said those studying in the Union Territory were required to serve for two years in hospitals. Those who failed to fulfil the requirement had to pay Rs 40 lakh to the state, he said.
He questioned why the file concerning the matter had remained pending with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for a year.
Abdullah also criticised changes to the functioning of medical institutions. He said their directors and committees had previously been empowered to decide which equipment to procure and which doctors to appoint, but alleged that the current administration had taken away those powers.
Referring to the head of the administration, he said, “I asked him that you have finished the autonomy, he admitted it on my face.”
He questioned what justice Kashmiris could expect from Delhi.
Urges Kashmiris to unite and remember their history
Abdullah urged people in Jammu and Kashmir to become self-reliant and unite rather than depend on the Centre to secure their rights.
“Unless you stand on your own feet, you will never earn your dignity,” he said, calling on people to remember God and follow His path.
He referred to historical periods of oppression under rulers including Qadir Khan, a governor who came from Kabul, the Mughals and the Dogras. Recalling the treatment of people under Dogra rule, Abdullah described a practice in which people crossing a bridge were allegedly whipped and forced to chant “Long live the Maharaja” until they reached the other side.
He said younger generations needed to understand the region’s history and how its people had reached their present circumstances. Abdullah also criticised what he described as a lack of political unity in Kashmir, alleging that numerous parties had emerged and that some people were willing to compromise their integrity for money.
He urged people not to assume that help would arrive without their own efforts, arguing that collective action was necessary to secure their future.
“Remember, you will never achieve anything unless you stand united,” he said.
Abdullah also called on party workers to remain loyal to the National Conference regardless of whether it was in power.
“If you truly stand with this party, with this flag for which so many have shed their blood, then stand by it with integrity, not with duplicity. Do not simply stand with us because we happen to be in power; if you are truly committed to this cause, then remain with it even when we are no longer in power,” he said.
He expressed hope that the current situation would eventually change and urged people to place their faith in Allah rather than fear those in power.
Concluding his appeal for unity, Abdullah invoked the slogan associated with his father, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, popularly known as Sher-e-Kashmir: “Sher-e-Kashmir ka kya irshaad, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs Ithaad.” The slogan calls for unity among Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.
Abdullah also urged party members to remain honest and committed to the organisation, warning against supporting it only while it remained in government.
He said he was answerable to Allah and that this belief was why he spoke openly in public.
(with agencies input)
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