New Delhi:Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah issued a cautionary statement, stating that India could face a fate similar to Gaza and Palestine if a resolution through dialogue with Pakistan is not pursued. The National Conference MP emphasized the importance of maintaining friendly relations with neighbors for mutual progress.
In his statement, Abdullah urged leaders of both India and Pakistan to seek solutions to bilateral issues through dialogue. Referring to the words of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who emphasized the significance of friendly neighboring nations, Abdullah quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance against war, emphasizing the need for conflict resolution through dialogue.
However, Abdullah’s remarks drew criticism from Senior BJP leader Hina Shafi Bhat, who expressed regret that a senior leader from Jammu and Kashmir continues to advocate talks with Pakistan. Bhat asserted that the current regime is not inclined to bow down before Pakistan.
Abdullah’s statement comes against the backdrop of recent incidents, including an ambush in Poonch resulting in the death of five Indian Army soldiers, the killing of a retired police officer in a Baramulla mosque, and the discovery of three civilians dead after being detained for questioning by troops.
The former chief minister previously criticized BJP’s claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir post the revocation of its special status in 2019, emphasizing that terrorism persists and won’t diminish without addressing its root cause.
