Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, Dec 12: National Conference President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah often questions “double speak” of the Government of India regarding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
His anguish is Justified since his party has been making desperate attempts to convince New Delhi to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. From having vowed not to participate in the Assembly elections till the time statehood is not restored to actually participating in Panchayat elections and regretting not having officially participated in the Panchayat and Block Development Council elections, Dr.Farooq Abdullah has changed his stance with the evolving situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
A cursory glance of Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s statements since the Year 1995 speaks in volumes about how elder Abdullah has retracted from his statements and changed his stance time and again. On 16th October 1995, Farooq insisted on granting of 1952 status for the early resolution of Kashmir dispute. He told UNI in an interview on October 20, 1952 that he would participate in the polls only after 1952 status is restored. “For restoration of normalcy in the state, granting of greater autonomy is a must,” said Farooq.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah vowed (November 3, 1995) to boycott polls in Jammu and Kashmir stating that without being granted greater autonomy, he would not participate in polls. “Restoration of Pre-52 status is not a pre-condition but a representation of the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir” said Farooq while talking to media persons. Abdullah (November 10, 1995) categorically ruled out the possibility of his party’s participation in the proposed elections.
He said, “Even if it takes me hundred years to restore the dignity and honour of my people, I will wait but I will not participate in the elections”. On December 7, 1995; Farooq Abdullah while speaking at a function organised to commemorate the death anniversary of the late Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah said that he would not be a party to any state-managed exercise in which people could not participate freely and fearlessly.
But two days later on December 9, 1995, at a function in Srinagar, he took a U-Turn and sought internal autonomy for all three regions. His lateral shift from his earlier stance became apparent when on December 22, 1995, he told the centre that he is willing to accept an alternative package and participate in the polls.
“I can consider an alternative political package if and when offered by the centre, but the package sought should be best for restoration of democratic rule in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Farooq. He went on to say that Indira-Sheikh accord 1975 is unacceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and that cannot be the basis for any further dialogue.
Farooq finally shook hands with the centre and regained the seat of power which he had left in the year 1989. Reports suggest after taking over reigns of power in the state, elders in the party and especially those who had worked alongside his father late Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah impressed upon him to remain consistent with his stand Vis-à-vis seeking greater autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir. He did appear serious about the issue for a certain period of time and even sent the proposal to the centre.
“Restoration of autonomy is a delicate issue because countrymen are expressing their apprehensions about it,” Farooq Abdullah said on September 2, 1997 while responding to the resolution regarding the restoration of autonomy to the state which was moved by the then-ruling National Conference member Abdul Rashid Dar in the legislative council.
A few days later on September 8, 1997 when the death anniversary of his father Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah was being observed, Farooq remarked: “Undiluted and meaningful autonomy is our right and we will get it.”
Significantly, Farooq’s one-point programme during his six years in power appeared to be cautioning the centre against the “evil designs of Pakistan” and seeking bombing of militant camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Speaking at a function in Jammu, Farooq (September 25, 1997) cautioned people to remain vigilant against the evil designs of Pakistan.
The very next day, Farooq called Indo-Pak talks a meaningless exercise at a function in the holy township of Charar-e-Sharief in Kashmir (September 26, 1997). On December 10, 1997; Farooq Abdullah flayed the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for raking up Kashmir issue.
He said, “Jammu and Kashmir would continue to be an integral part of India irrespective of what OIC says under the influence of Pakistan.” Farooq for the most part of his 6-year stay in power kept harping on the tune of converting the line of control (LOC) into an international border (IB).
Farooq predicted (May 12, 1998) that the next war would be fought on the issue of Kashmir with modern-day weaponry which includes the nuclear arsenal. In another function at Leh on June 9, 1998; Farooq threatened a possible nuclear attack on Pakistan if the security of India was at stake. Sharpening his words, a little more, Farooq on June 18, 1998, warned Pakistan of dire consequences.
His words were “Do not test our patience, the Indian forces if given a chance, would eliminate Pakistan within half-an-hour.” Farooq even announced offering help for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) to revolt against Pakistan.
Speaking to media persons at Udhampur on July 16, 1998; Farooq said “People of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) should rise on the occasion and free themselves from people who mislead them. I had suggested giving that small part (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) to them (Pakistan) and retaining the rest with us. But it was not accepted and now we are suffering,” remarked Farooq on August 11, 1998 at a function in R.S.Pura in the outskirts of Jammu city.
Farooq even cautioned people about the possibility of Taliban militia crossing over to fight in Jammu and Kashmir. “Soon after the things settle down in Afghanistan, Kashmir will be their next destination,” said Farooq on August 19, 1998 at a function in Srinagar. A furious Farooq Abdullah on October 8, 1999 stated that so-called Hurriyat Leaders would be detained for 3 years at Jodhpur jail so that they could get enough time to “hatch conspiracies” against him.
Farooq Abdullah requested the Centre to wage war against Pakistan (October 3, 2001) after a deadly car blast outside the Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly complex at Srinagar left 31 dead and many others injured. Going a little further, on October 13, 2001; while speaking in the legislative assembly at Srinagar; Farooq Abdullah accused Iran of giving financial support for the propagation of fundamentalism in Kashmir. “Iran wants to establish Hezbollah in the valley,” said Farooq.
On October 29, 2001 Farooq sought the bombing of militant training camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). Talking to media persons on the sidelights of 50th All India Police Hockey Championship, Farooq said “I favour war against them who have posed a serious problem for Jammu and Kashmir.”
In sharp contrast to his present stand on the withdrawal of armed forces from the state, Farooq Abdullah refused to recommend the withdrawal of the army from the valley to the centre. He said this while replying to the debate over the Disturbed Areas Bill which was unanimously passed by the Legislative Assembly on October 7, 1997.
Interestingly on July 9, 2000 after Autonomy proposal sent by him to the centre was rejected, Farooq while speaking on the first day of the 2-day seminar “Autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir: Restructuring Indian Federalism’ said “Delhi will have to pay dearly for slamming doors On Autonomy. If they refused to talk and discuss about the autonomy resolution. I wonder what they will do if Hurriyat Conference contests polls and adopts a resolution in the assembly seeking merger with Pakistan.”
However, this was to be only a political statement because after meeting Lal Krishan Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee; on July 22, 2000 Farooq embarrassed even his partymen when he said that Autonomy and devolution of power are two faces of the same coin. Later, leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on various occasions stated that after the Greater Autonomy proposal was rejected, Farooq never asked BJP about the reasons for the same. His son Omar Abdullah continued to be a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Farooq’s NC a part of NDA.
In complete contrast to what Farooq is doing presently, uniting opposition in Jammu, throwing Iftar Parties; Farooq on December 5, 2001 while addressing a public meeting at Jammu in a threatening tone said “would dig their (Opposition) graves before stepping down. I will myself conduct the elections “. This opposition then included Jammu Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) and other regional as well as national parties.
Again, Farooq took a U-turn and on January 13, 2002 called Musharraf a wise general and praised him for taking Pakistan away from fundamentalism. However, talking to a reporter at New Delhi (January 23, 2002), Farooq maintained that Pak rulers cannot be trusted.
