By IANS
Srinagar : National Conference (NC) party patron and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah’s recent statement questioning the state’s accession to India is being widely seen here as an expression of “anguish rather than intent”.
Speaking to party activists on the birth anniversary of his father and NC founder, late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, Farooq said on Wednesday: “The continuation of rights abuses by the security forces have forced us to rethink whether the accession to India in 1947 had been a mistake.”
Abdullah made the same statement in the winter capital city, Jammu, a few days back, kicking off a debate within the mainstream political camp in the state.
“In fact, Abdullah has become increasingly worried about the narrowing down of space for the mainstream political parties in Kashmir as reports of rights abuses by the security forces continue to pour in from different parts of the state,” said a senior NC leader here, commenting on Abdullah’s utterances.
“Abdullah has been the strongest advocate of Kashmir’s accession to India and his nationalistic and secular credentials are above board,” the NC leader hastened to add.
“What his latest statement proves is his genuine concern for his people and also for the image of the country, which is taking a beating because of the behaviour of some black sheep among the security forces here.”
However, Abdullah’s detractors have a different view.
“Old habits die hard, and among politicians like Abdullah they tend to die even harder,” said a senior leader of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“When in power, the NC leaders sing praises of the accession, and when out of power the first thing they challenge is the accession of the state to India.
“This was the story during the days of the late Sheikh, and this continues to be the story now with Farooq,” said the PDP leader.
“Dr Farooq is angry with Delhi. He does not actually intend to go back on accession but feels Delhi didn’t keep its promises to Kashmiris. Being out of power has accentuated his alienation from the central government,” said Bashir Manzar, editor of a local newspaper.
“The NC challenging accession is hard to digest unless we interpret it as sheer anger and fatigue. They have been the architect of the state’s accession to India,” said Ajaz Hussain, a local journalist.