Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Nov 27: Though controversy over his oft repeated statements on PoK has not died down yet, National Conference (NC) president and former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah stoked another row today daring Centre to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk, the heart of Srinagar City, before talking of unfurling it in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
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But his remarks drew immediate criticism with Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh and Speaker State Assembly, Kavinder Gupta saying it is unfortunate that a man who has been Chief Minister many a times and also remained as Union Minister was giving such controversial statements.
Dr Farooq, who had recently claimed Pakistan occupied Kashmir cannot become a part of India, said he only told facts and that what he spoke about PoK was the “truth and reality”.
“What wrong I have said about flag hoisting in PoK”? I am telling reality and you don’t want to hear it”, he said while talking to media persons on the sidelines of a function organised at Panama Chowk here in connection with observance of 30th death anniversary of former Finance Minister of the State and veteran leader Girdhari Lal Dogra.
“They (Centre and BJP) are talking about raising flag in PoK. I ask them first you go and raise the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. They can’t even do that here and they are talking about PoK,” he added.
“If you don’t like to hear the truth, then live in the untruth. The truth is that (PoK) is not our part and this (J&K) is not their part. That is the truth,” Dr Abdullah said defending his comment that PoK does not belong to India.
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 sees our miseries. Who don’t see the miseries of our border people? How they suffer when shelling starts?”, he asked.
When asked to comment on the recent killing of a Territorial Army man on leave, he said the Centre should be asked the question as it claimed peace has returned to Kashmir after demonetisation. “This question should be asked to GoI who often give statements that there is peace in Kashmir,” he added.
Dr 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 the Government should take action against them until they apologised and gave an undertaking that they would not repeat it.
In response to a question that don’t you feel Pakistan is responsible for killing of innocents, Dr Abdullah retorted “come out of ‘Pak Phobia’ as India is million times stronger than Pak.”
On withdrawal of cases against stone pelters, the National Conference leader said he was not aware if cases against stone pelters were being withdrawn.
He wished “good luck” to the Centre’s Special Representative Dineshwar Sharma, who is holding talks with stakeholders to restore peace in the restive State.
Countering Farooq, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh said the National Conference leader was provoking and strengthening the separatists and militants with such controversial statements. He said the Tricolour was being hoisted in all parts of the State, including Lal Chowk.
“Farooq Abdullah is strengthening separatists and militants with his controversial remarks because he is in desperation. He has forgotten that tricolour is being unfurled in all parts of the State including Lal Chowk”, Dr Singh told reporters at the same function later.
“He must understand that he was a Chief Minister of the State. He is giving controversial statements out of frustration to provoke separatists and militants”, said Deputy CM.
The Deputy CM while taking a dig on Dr Abdullah said he must know that it is a proxy war which does not end in days. “Farooq was CM when the proxy war started in Kashmir and he fled to England,” he said.
Dr Singh said on PoK there is joint Parliamentary resolution that India is committed to get it back as it is the part of our territory. But Dr Abdullah who has remained CM several times and also a Union Minister instead of strengthening nation is making such controversial statements.
On Farooq’s allegation that innocent people including army jawans are being killed, Dr Singh said “it is a proxy war and we have to be ready for such sacrifices as our jawans are fighting it bravely and 193 terrorists were eliminated by them”.
Criticising Dr Abdullah Speaker, State Assembly, Kavinder Gupta said it is unfortunate that Dr Abdullah who has remained CM several times is giving such statements.
“If by giving such statements he feels that they will regain lost space in Kashmir he is completely mistaken as people of Kashmir can now see through this dirty politics ”, Gupta added.
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