Farooq Abdullah Urges Party to Make Sacrifices Like Farmers for J&K Statehood

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) president and former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) chief minister (CM) Farooq Abdullah has said that his party should be ready to make “sacrifices” like the farmers who protested the now-repealed three farm laws for the restoration of J&K’s statehood and special status.

“In almost 11 months, more than 700 farmers died. Finally, the Centre had to bow down before the sacrifices of the farmers and repeal the laws. We may also have to make such sacrifices,” Abdullah said at a party convention on the 116th birth anniversary of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at his mausoleum at Naseem Bagh.

The birth anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah was celebrated as a public holiday until the state was bifurcated into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019.

Insisting that every struggle is “incomplete” without sacrifices, Abdullah said that the NC is ready for any sacrifice to for restoring J&K’s special status and statehood. Calling for unity in the Valley, he said that the families of the innocent civilians killed in the Hyderpora encounter got their bodies due to their unity and collective demand. “The voice of the people made the authorities change their decision and the families were allowed to give them a dignified burial.”

The three-time CM also asked his party workers to reach out to people in villages and towns to discuss their concerns. “We must understand the pain of people. If we do not feel their pain, we won’t survive as a political party. Our foremost responsibility is to reach out to the common people and voice their concerns and aspirations,” he added.

Underlining the strict government policy in the region, Abdullah said that there is “no room for dissent and those raising voice against the government are being forced into silence”. “The media is being harassed and intimidated daily for performing its professional duties. They are not allowed to report the ground situation. If they report against the authorities, then they are questioned by the police,” he added.

Abdullah’s remarks on making sacrifices drew sharp criticism from Srinagar mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, who is part of Altaf Bukhari-led Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party. “Aren’t 70,000 graves enough?” he asked.

Dr. Sahab wants us to render sacrifices like those rendered by farmers.

Ok.

3 HUMBLE QUESTIONS:

1) Aren’t 70,000 graves enough?

2) Out of these 700 MORE sacrifices, how many children of CMs and Former Ministers?

3) OR are these 700 children to be offered ONLY by the poor?

— Junaid Azim Mattu (@Junaid_Mattu) December 5, 2021

“Dr. Sahab wants us to render sacrifices like those rendered by farmers. Ok. 3 HUMBLE QUESTIONS: 1) Aren’t 70,000 graves enough? 2) Out of these 700 MORE sacrifices, how many children of CMs and Former Ministers? 3) OR are these 700 children to be offered ONLY by the poor? ” Mattu, a former NC spokesperson Mattu, tweeted.