National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said “independent Kashmir was not a reality.”
“J&K is landlocked and surrounded by nuclear powers China, Pakistan and India. All three of them have atom bombs. We have nothing except Allah’s name. Those who are talking about Azadi (freedom) are talking wrong,” the former Chief Minister told cadres at the party headquarters in Srinagar.
Referring to Instrument of Accession signed in 1947, Dr. Abdullah said, “If that side [Pakistan occupied Kashmir] is ours, then you [Indian government] should talk about the accession too. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded?”
Accuses India of betraying State
Dr. Abdullah, who represents Srinagar in the Lok Sabha, also accused India of “betraying” the State. “India didn’t treat us well. India betrayed us. They didn’t recognise the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir,” he said.
He asserted that internal autonomy “was our right.” “India should restore it. Only then the peace will return.”
Dr. Abdullah said PoK belonged to Pakistan. “I tell them in plain terms – not only to Indians but also to the world – that PoK belongs to Pakistan and this side to India. This won’t change. Let them fight how many wars they want to. This won’t change,” he said.
