National Conference (NC) President and former Member of Parliament Dr. Farooq Abdullah today launched a vehement attack on Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh, alleging that Rashid is a “creation” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at a public rally in the Safapora area of Bandipora district, Abdullah condemned the recent alliance between the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), describing it as a maneuver to “divide” and “loot” the people of Kashmir.
Abdullah questioned the timing of Rashid’s release from detention, suggesting it was part of a broader strategy by the BJP to disrupt the NC. “He is the creation of the BJP. If not, then why was he released for just 20 days? If they were going to release him, why not earlier? This has been orchestrated to hurt us,” Abdullah asserted.
The NC leader further accused the JeI-AIP alliance of being an attempt to manipulate and exploit the people of Kashmir for political gain. “The alliance is aimed at dividing the people and preying on our mothers and sisters. It’s all about division and looting,” he said.
Addressing a core issue in the ongoing electoral campaigns, Abdullah reaffirmed his commitment to the restoration of Article 370. “Everyone is prepared to sacrifice for the restoration of Article 370. We won’t fight with guns or stones, but we will go to the Supreme Court again,” he declared. Abdullah emphasized that previous rulings had affirmed the permanent nature of Article 370 and vowed to persist in legal battles until its restoration.
Delving into the historical context, Abdullah recounted the origins of Article 370, tracing back to Maharaja Hari Singh’s 1927 laws designed to protect local land and job rights, which eventually evolved into Article 370 and 35-A. “He was concerned about these issues and enacted laws to ensure protection, which eventually became Article 370 and 35-A,” Abdullah explained.
The NC President also warned of ongoing schemes against his party, characterizing them as part of a broader plot by political adversaries. “These are offshoots of the ‘flower’ party; their sole aim is to plot against the plough,” he remarked.
Further criticizing the Prime Minister, Abdullah alleged that Muslims in India were facing systemic “excesses” and condemned the Prime Minister’s rhetoric as divisive. “PM even accused Muslims of taking over properties. Let me tell him, Muslims are not beggars. The Prophet taught us to treat everyone equally and with love,” he stated.
Recalling a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi just before the abrogation of Article 370, Abdullah expressed his concerns about the heavy military deployment in Jammu and Kashmir. He recounted Modi’s dismissal of his concerns and the subsequent removal of Article 370 and 35-A on August 5, which transformed the state into a Union Territory.
Abdullah argued that the BJP’s actions were driven by an inherent disdain for Jammu and Kashmir’s Muslim-majority status. “He did this because J&K is a Muslim-majority State, and he hates Muslims. Ask those seeking votes in his name if they want to sell out our mothers and sisters. This election isn’t about roads—it’s about our identity,” Abdullah concluded.
