Synopsis
Farooq Abdullah, former J&K Chief Minister, questions the Union government's claims of eradicating terrorism in Kashmir, highlighting the recent Kulgam attack that resulted in the death of an ex-serviceman and injuries to his family.Key Takeaways
- Farooq Abdullah questions the claims of peace in Kashmir.
- Recent Kulgam incident raises concerns about ongoing militancy.
- Criticism of Union government's narrative on terrorism.
- Abdullah expresses confidence in the INDIA Bloc.
- Calls for restoration of J&K's statehood.
Jammu, Feb 4 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister of J&K and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah stated on Tuesday that if militancy has truly subsided in the Kashmir valley, then the recent Kulgam incident raises serious questions. This incident involved the killing of an ex-serviceman by terrorists.
While speaking to the press during an event, he criticized the Union government's assertion that terrorism has been eliminated from J&K.
The NC leader was alluding to the attack that occurred on Monday in Behibagh village of Kulgam district, where an ex-serviceman lost his life and his wife and daughter sustained injuries.
He further challenged the claims made by various political parties regarding their success in the Delhi Assembly elections.
“The BJP once claimed they would gain power in J&K and predicted a hung Assembly. Where are those assertions now? They appear to have been quieted. The ultimate decision lies with the citizens of this country, not with me or Sakina Itoo,” he remarked.
When asked about the potential benefits for the BJP from the separate candidacies of INDIA Bloc partners like the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, Abdullah dismissed any speculation regarding its effect on the alliance.
“If I were divine, I could foresee this. But I am just an ordinary individual. Who am I to predict the winners?” he commented.
Abdullah expressed faith in the INDIA Bloc, asserting its advancement with divine support and its determination to progress despite opposition.
When questioned about leading efforts to unite alliance partners nationally, Abdullah minimized his role, stating, “I lack the capability, and I am not that person. We understand that together we can achieve more for this country. Division leads to failure.”
On the topic of restoring J&K’s statehood, Abdullah reiterated his position, expressing optimism for its eventual restoration.
“With God's grace, it will return. It may take time, but it is bound to happen. If I could see into the future, I would say it will be soon, but I cannot,” he explained.
In response to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s concerns about EVMs, Abdullah shifted the discussion towards media freedom and criticized the press for not being able to hold the Union government accountable.
“You ask the questions you prefer. How many of our responses do you print? Can you criticize the Union government? You only target the opposition. Your paper could face dire consequences. You may end up in jail for flattering them,” he added.
Regarding the development of a cancer vaccine akin to the COVID-19 vaccine, Abdullah expressed doubts about how the COVID-19 vaccine was administered.
He alleged that the COVID-19 vaccine was rolled out without proper trials.
“Currently, we are witnessing its effects. Numerous young individuals are suffering from heart attacks and other health issues, with claims linking these to the vaccine. We cannot definitively attribute responsibility until proven otherwise,” he stated.
