Farooq Abdullah playing dangerous politics
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah's desperation to win an election coming up is Kashmir in understandable, but what is despicable is that he should cock a snook at national security and integrity in the process. His recent remark that stone-pelters in Kashmir valley are engaging in the act in the nation's interest, deserves to be fully condemned. His statement comes at a time when stone-pelting mobs have been obstructing security forces from carrying out anti-terror operations and thus aiding militants. Only weeks ago, Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat had categorically said that such stone-pelters would be treated as “overground” supporters of terror elements and dealt with accordingly. Abdullah must inform the country as to what national interest is being served by these violent mobs. It is certainly not in India's interest, though it's in Pakistan's interest for sure. If the National Conference leader wants to bat for Pakistan's gameplan in Jammu & Kashmir, then he must say so unequivocally. He knows as well as any other that stone-pelters are paid disruptionists who take orders from their masters based in the valley — who in turn are patronised by elements in Pakistan. Farooq Abdullah is not just a former Chief Minister of the State but also a Union Minister, and so he is aware of the ground situation in the valley. On previous occasions, he had slammed Pakistan and even called upon India to have a do-or-die war with that country to once and for all settle the Kashmir matter. More recently, he had dismissed the Hurriyat Conference leaders as being inconsequential. He has sadly taken a U-turn for political gains.
The language he has used is exactly that of the separatist leaders who are determined to not give peace a chance and to block development. They know that development brings economic gains which could take the valley's youth away from violence. The separatists need foot soldiers who can be brainwashed ideologically or through money power to take bullets while they themselves remain safely away from the scene of action. Now, Farooq Abdullah has joined their ranks in justifying brazen anti-national behaviour. One had expected from a leader of his stature to stand by the security agencies and the Government of the State as well as the Centre on matters of national interest. It seems that he has no sensitivity for the hundreds of security personnel including those of the State police, who risk their well-being — quite a few of them sacrifice their lives — to combat militancy and maintain calm for the ordinary citizens to live without fear.
The National Conference leader's use of the term ‘nation' is bemusing. Is he referring to Kashmir as a nation or does he have India in mindIJ If it's the former, then it's shocking but not surprising. Farooq Abdullah and his National Conference, whenever they are out of power, speak the language of disintegration. They harp on greater autonomy, even a return to the pre-1950s situation. Abdullah should take note of a recent Supreme Court verdict that re-stated the obvious: While Jammu & Kashmir enjoys a special status, this does not translate into sovereignty. It certainly cannot claim any privilege beyond what it has been given through the Constitution of India.