Farooq Abdullah: J&K Terror Attacks Not Tied to Statehood Loss!
Farooq Abdullah says terrorism in J&K isn’t linked to loss of statehood.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has dismissed claims that the absence of statehood fuels terror attacks in the region, responding to a Supreme Court hearing that referenced the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack. Speaking to the media, Abdullah asserted that terrorism persisted even when J&K was a state, attributing such incidents to strained relations with neighboring countries. “These attacks happened even when it was a state. It’s not as if statehood is responsible. They occur because we lack good relations with our neighbors,” he said, emphasizing that external actors drive militancy.
The Supreme Court, hearing a plea for time-bound restoration of J&K’s statehood, cited the Pahalgam attack, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. The bench, led by Chief Justice Bhushan R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, stressed the government’s prerogative to assess ground realities, stating, “You cannot ignore what happened in Pahalgam. Some decisions are best left to the government.” The court sought the Centre’s response on the plea, recalling assurances made during the December 2023 Article 370 abrogation ruling that statehood would follow elections.
Senior advocate for petitioners Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and Khurshaid Ahmad Malik argued that the court had previously deferred the statehood issue based on the solicitor general’s promise. Abdullah expressed hope that the Supreme Court would restore J&K’s rights, noting government commitments made in and outside Parliament. The ongoing debate underscores tensions between security concerns and demands for statehood, with Abdullah advocating for diplomatic solutions to address cross-border terrorism.
Also Read: Farooq Abdullah: India’s Secularism Will Never Die
Also Read: Mehbooba Rebukes Centre for ‘Undemocratic’ MLA Picks in J&K
