Forces inside the nation are more dangerous: Abdullah

Attacking the BJP-led central government, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that India faces threat from within and not from outside. “We don't face any threat from outside, whether it is China and Pakistan. We are capable of handling them but the country faces threat from the people within the country,” Abdullah said. He also said that “there are thieves sitting inside the country, who are ruining everything”.

Without naming the Narendra Modi government or the BJP, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister emphasised that people of Kashmir are Indians but lamented that “today we are asked about our nationality”. “Who are they to ask us about our nationality?” he asked.

He also said that the Kashmiris chose India over Pakistan at Independence because India guarantees equality. “And I say this with pride that I am a Hindustani (Indian) Muslim,” Abdullah added. “We Kashmiris are called Pakistanis. I would request you to take that thought out of your head. We are not fighting for Pakistan; we are fighting for our right in the India and these people want to take away our right.”

Abdullah also expressed grief over the present situation in the Kashmir Valley, saying: “We are loyal but it is painful that they (the central government) are not large-hearted.” “Earlier our fight was with the British, but today it is against our own people.” This is not the first time Farooq Abdullah has slammed Bharatiya Janata Party.