Former J&K chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday dared the government of India to hoist tri-colour at LalChowk in Srinagar before talking about unfurling it in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Abdullah’s remarks drew criticism from the BJP, with deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh saying that the National Conference leader was “strengthening the separatists and militants.” He said that the tricolour was being hoisted in all parts of the state, including LalChowk.
Abdullah, who had recently said Pakistan-administered Kashmir cannot become a part of India, said that he only told facts and that what he spoke about PaK was “truth.”
“They (Centre and BJP) are talking about raising flag in PaK. I ask them first you go and raise the tricolour at LalChowk in Srinagar. They can’t even do that here and they are talking about PaK,” he said.
“If you don’t like to hear the truth, then live in the untruth. The truth is that (PaK) is not our part and this (J&K) is not their part. That is the truth,” Abdullah said, defending his comment that PaK does not belong to India.
He was speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to Congress leader and MP the late G L Dogra on his 30th death anniversary.
Asked whether he was not hurting the Indian sentiment by making such comments, he retorted, asking “what is Indian sentiment? You think I am not an Indian? Whose sentiments are you talking about? Those crooks who don’t see our miseries, who don’t see the miseries of our border people? How they suffer when shelling starts?”
When asked to comment on the recent killing of an armyman on leave, he said that the government of India should be asked the question as it claimed peace had returned to Kashmir after demonetisation.
Abdullah deprecated the incident where two students did not get up when the national anthem was being sung in Rajouri district a few days ago.
Honour to the nation is important and national anthem is most honourable, he said, adding that the government should take action against them until they apologised and gave an undertaking that they would not repeat it.
The National Conference leader said that he was not aware if cases against stone pelters were being withdrawn.
He wished “good luck” to the government of India’s “special representative” Dineshwar Sharma who is holding talks with stakeholders to restore peace in the state.
Abdullah’s comments on PaK and the tri-colour prompted criticism from Nirmal Singh.
“Farooq Abdullah is strengthening separatists and militants with his controversial remarks because he is frustrated. He has forgotten that tricolour is being unfurled in all parts of the state including LalChowk,” he told reporters.
Farooq Abdullah provokes again, says ‘Forget PoK, raise Indian flag in Srinagar first’
