India faces threat from within, not outside: Farooq

“Nobody can dictate terms to government”

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said that India does not face a threat from the outside but from within. He emphasised the importance of unity and countering divisive narratives to secure the nation’s future.

“The country demands sacrifice even today to save it. India does not face a threat from outside but from within. People inside the country can destroy it, not those from outside. To make the nation strong, we must make ourselves, our brothers, and our sisters strong”, Dr Abdullah said while speaking at a function at the National Conference headquarters here.
Dr Abdullah criticised divisive propaganda, particularly the narrative that Hindus are under threat. “There are 80 per cent Hindus in this country, so where is the threat? This narrative is meant to create fear among people. It is everyone’s duty to break this falsehood,” he said.
Reflecting on historical narratives, he recalled misinformation during his tenure as chief minister in 1996 regarding the settlement of people from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
“It was falsely propagated that they would come and take over your lands. I repeatedly clarified that no one could settle here without the Union Home Ministry’s approval, yet no one listened,” he added.
Commenting on the abrogation of Article 370, Dr Abdullah argued that the special provision was not solely for Kashmiris but was introduced by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1927 to protect Dogras from economic domination by wealthy Punjabis.
“You celebrated the abrogation, but now even domestic jobs are going to outsiders. Servants are being brought in from outside. Think about what you have gained,” he remarked.
He highlighted growing economic challenges post abrogation of article 370 and said “Your lands are being taken, and jobs are no longer reserved for you. Outsiders hesitate to come to Kashmir, fearing its majority Muslim population. This is what we tried to warn you about.”
Abdullah also addressed accusations of being unpatriotic. “I am a Muslim, and I am an Indian Muslim. I am neither a Chinese nor a Pakistani Muslim. But this propaganda persists. Even Hindu members of the National Conference were once branded as Pakistanis,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to the people for their support, Abdullah said “We faced immense challenges but never bowed down. My father faced difficulties too, but we did not succumb. If we remain on the right path, act with honesty, and ensure justice for all, we can overcome any challenge.”
He urged party leaders to avoid division and remain open to the people, stressing the need for internal unity. “Put your house in order first. If your house is not in order, how can your country be?” he questioned.
Abdullah highlighted the need for a united effort towards nation-building, stating, “This country can only progress when all of us are happy and united. India is diverse, comprising various races and regions, and our strength lies in our unity amid diversity.”
Touching upon gender equality, Abdullah expressed disappointment over delays in implementing reservations for women in Parliament. He asserted “Men often hesitate to share power with women, hindering our nation’s progress. We must ensure equality for men and women to truly advance.”
Farooq Abdullah also called upon party workers to start preparing for the upcoming panchayat elections, emphasizing the need for unity to “rebuild” Jammu and Kashmir.
“Prepare for elections. Whenever elections are held, be ready from today,” he said, addressing a gathering of party workers here.
He urged NC workers to choose candidates who genuinely want to serve the people and emphasized the need for honesty and unity to “rebuild” Jammu and Kashmir. “Together, we can overcome these challenges and bring our region back on the path of progress,” he said.
Recalling the 2024 assembly elections, Abdullah said, “In previous elections, many believed it wouldn’t happen, but they were eventually announced, leaving many unprepared.”
Abdullah urged party workers to remain truthful with the public and avoid misleading promises. “Tell people what you can do and what you cannot. Do not mislead them with greener pastures; it will not work,” he said.
He also warned against disloyalty within the party, stating, “don’t project yourself as NC workers while voting for the lotus (BJP’s symbol). I have seen such behaviour before. Today, many are joining NC because we are in power, but we must prioritize those who have sacrificed for the party over opportunists.”
Calling for unity among leaders, he said, “Love and support those who have stood by the organization. First, put your house in order. If your house is not in order, how can the country be in order?”
Highlighting the challenges J&K is facing, Abdullah said various sectors including education, healthcare, power, and water supply are facing issues.
Meanwhile, while talking to reporters on the sidelines of a party function here, Abdullah responded to the question about the criticism of the government functioning allegedly by a Congress leader, saying the government knows what to do.
“Government will function as it wants. Nobody can dictate terms to the government,” he said.
Responding to the PDP remark that the NC government has changed the goal post from Article 370 to statehood, Abdullah said the rival party needs to go for self-introspection before making any allegations against his party.
“Tell them (PDP), they are the ones who are responsible for the revocation of Article 370. We have told Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (former chief minister and PDP founder) not to join the BJP for government formation. He went ahead, despite repeated requests by us, Congress and other parties,” he said.
Asked when the statehood was restored to Jammu and Kashmir, he quipped “When it is acceptable to the Almighty.”
On return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri pandits who completed 35 years in exile on January 19, Abdullah said the BJP ruled J-K over the past 10 years and the question should have been posed to them how many migrant families they have rehabilitated during this period.
He said the BJP has also promised 50,000 jobs to the unemployed youth but nobody will ask them how many jobs they provided in the past 10 years but will ask the National Conference which only came to power three months ago and has five years to fulfil all its promises including providing jobs to the youth.
Abdullah questioned the silence of the media over the alleged misuse of the central government by the BJP in the elections.
“I want to advise the media to remove hatred from their reporting and try to work to spread love. If we continue to spread hatred, we cannot save the country,” he said, urging the media in the country to go for self-introspection before asking questions to the opposition party leaders.
Asked about the involvement of a Bangladeshi national in the recent attack on Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan in Mumbai, Abdullah said he is against such things and wished him a speedy recovery.
“Maharashtra is a rich state where everybody wants to go to earn a living. How many people from our state are earning their livelihood in Mumbai? It is the financial capital of India,” he said, adding “If somebody has attacked him, you cannot blame an entire nation for one man’s action.”
“You remember what had happened in Canada and America and they put the blame on India. How can you blame a nation for one person’s action…(former Prime Minister) Indira Gandhi visioned SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) like the European Union with the aim that all countries in the neighbourhood work together for the betterment of their nations. We need a revival of this,” he said.

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