Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah Wednesday alleged that those questioning claims on the Balakot air strike are being branded anti-nationals, and said the time has come for people to ask questions from those in power.
Speaking at an event here, Abdullah turned sentimental as heexpressed anguish over “power-hungry” people trying to go to anyextent and spread “hatred” for more power, and said it hurts him to”see my country dying”.
“Surgical strike, Oh wonderful!! We shot down their(Pakistan) plane and (if) you ask where is the proof of the plane you shot, orwhere is the proof as Amit Shah says that 300 people died — you areanti-national you are against the country,” Abdullah said.
Last week, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale had said “avery large number of JeM militants, trainers, senior commanders and groups ofjihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated” in theIndian Air Force strike, while the government sources said 350 militants were killed.Later, BJP president Amit Shah put the toll at 250.
Abdullah alleged news channels were dishing out lies at theinstance of vested interests.
“What do you see around? If you quote anything whichthey will not accept, you are anti-national, pro-Pakistan. Lies are beingdished out by channels. The time has come when you should ask questions,” hesaid.
Abdullah’s voice choked as he cited an anecdote about GuruNanak Dev’s visit to shrine of Kaaba.
“Who will save this nation? I see my country dying, ithurts me. Pray for an India that is blessed with love and peace and shinesbrighter than the Sun and stars,” he said, overcome with emotion.
He also expressed distress over situation in Kashmir, sayingthe youths in the Valley have “gone astray” and he struggles to thinkof ways they will be pulled back to normal life.
Abdullah also condemned Meghalaya governor Tathagata Roy’sstatement in which he favoured a call for the boycott of Kashmiri products andvisiting the state as tourists, saying Jammu and Kashmir became a part of Indiabecause of Mahatma Gandhi, not for its might or wealth.
Abdullah was addressing an event at the Institute of SocialScience on former socialist leader George Fernandes, whom the NationalConference chairman termed a leader who tried to know the reason behindmilitancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
“As a defence minister, George wanted to meet militantsto understand why they went against the nation,” Abdullah said sharing howFernandes, accompanied by an editor, met with militants on one night in Kashmir.
Even when sitting in chair of power, Fernandes was humble, he added.