Srinagar, Sep 15: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, on Sunday, stated that the National Conference (NC) has never produced separatists and that separatism in Jammu and Kashmir was fuelled by Pakistan.

The National Conference President made the remarks in response to a question about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address during a poll rally in Doda, during which he claimed that the NC had produced separatists in Jammu and Kashmir.

“National Conference never produced separatists. Those separatists were established by Pakistan,” Abdullah told the media in Ganderbal.

He further criticised those who previously supported Pakistan and called for a plebiscite, yet are now aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “Ask them, where have those slogans of ‘Nizam-e-Mustafa’ (Movement of the Prophet’s System) gone?” Abdullah questioned.

When asked about the Prime Minister’s assertion that a National Conference-Congress alliance would revive terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah responded, “I want to remind the Prime Minister that central rule has been in place here for the past five years since the abrogation of Article 370.

“The Centre always blamed Article 370 for terrorism. Then where is the terrorism coming from today? Where is the gun coming from that is taking lives, including the lives of our soldiers? Did Farooq Abdullah bring this gun? It’s not our government in power today, so they must answer,” Abdullah emphasised.

He added, “Those pointing fingers at us should remember that three fingers are pointing back at them. What have they achieved apart from deceiving people, telling lies from morning till evening?”

Regarding AIP leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, targeting the National Conference, Abdullah said, “Let him do so. But why was he not released until now? My question to them is, why has he been released now? Is it just to create a division among Muslims and suppress Muslim voices?” He alleged that the BJP and RSS are supporting Rashid.

When asked about Jamaat-e-Islami contesting the upcoming assembly elections, Abdullah remarked, “It’s a good thing. Instead of working in the shadows, they will now come forward, and people will see where they truly stand.”

UNI