Farooq Abdullah Says India-Pak ‘Getting Ready For Fight’; Calls Pakistani Deportations ‘Inhuman’
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) chief Farooq Abdullah has strongly criticised the Indian government’s directive for Pakistani nationals to leave the country in the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, describing the move as “inhuman” and “against the spirit of humanity.” The veteran politician voiced concerns over the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, warning that both nations appeared to be “getting ready for a fight.”
The former J&K chief minister said, “We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Today, two countries are getting ready for a fight. Attempts are being done to ensure this doesn’t happen and a solution can be found to catch them (terrorists) and those who are behind it.”
According to news agency ANI, Abdullah expressed sympathy for individuals who have been residing in India for decades, saying, “Some people have been staying here for the last 70 years, 25 years, their children are here, they never hurt India, instead they have submitted themselves to India. This action is not good; this is against humanity.”
Farooq Abdullah On 'Security And Intelligence Failures' Behind Pahalgam Attack
Abdullah condemned the terror attack in the Pahalgam region of the Union Territory and attributed it to security and intelligence failures, while accusing Pakistan of attempting to destabilise the region. He criticised Pakistan’s propaganda and took exception to provocative statements made by Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir on the two-nation theory.
“There is no doubt that this was a matter of security and intelligence lapses… They wouldn’t (Pakistan) have liked the fact that we were leading our lives very well… propaganda was spread among our people as well… so they (Pakistan) resorted to this (Pahalgam attack)… but they didn’t look at the fact that how it is going to affect the Muslims in India… a narrative is already going on since last 10 years, to eliminate Muslims completely, to burn our mosques… we were dealing with it already. Now, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir provoked by speaking about two-nation theory… if war happens, it will come to the table, but what will happen on the table, only Allah knows,” he said.
“This is the collateral damage caused by hatred...those poor people who are staying here for 50 years and children are studying here, they are being sent to Pakistan, what kind of way is this? This is an inhuman way. I don't think we should go to this extent,” he told ANI.
Abdullah also reiterated his opposition to the Waqf Act, saying, “We oppose the Waqf bill, there is no doubt about that. It is still an issue and we expect justice from the Supreme Court.”
Calling the Pahalgam attack “very painful,” Abdullah remarked that such incidents fuel hatred. “Whose motive is to spread hatred, why they are doing it and what benefit they are getting from it… We are the ones who get caught in between… We have been seeing this for the last 30-35 years… The people of Kashmir are suffering the most because of this,” he added.
The remarks come after the JKNC on Tuesday extended full support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in handling the situation. Speaking to ANI, he said, “We have extended our complete support to the Prime Minister… PM should do whatever has to be done.”
The Prime Minister had chaired a high-level security meeting attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Meanwhile, as per a senior official quoted by ANI, as many as 786 Pakistani nationals have departed India via the Attari-Wagah border between April 24 and April 30. During the same period, 1,376 Indian citizens returned from Pakistan through the same route.
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