‘Centre’s unilateral decision to abrogate Article 370 has pushed J&K leaders to the wall’
KHALIDA SHAH, WIFE OF FORMER J&K CHIEF MINISTER GHULAM MOHAMMAD SHAH AND SISTER OF NC CHIEF FAROOQ ABDULLAH
:Asserting that the August 5 abrogation of the Article 370 was done without taking the erstwhile state’s people into confidence, Khalida Shah, wife of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Mohammad Shah and sister of National Conference veteran Farooq Abdullah, has said they will never reconcile with the Centre unless the special status is given back. In an interview with HT on Friday, Khalida Shah, who is also the chairperson of Awami National Conference, said the unilateral decision has pushed mainstream leaders of J&K to the wall. Edited excerpts:
How do view the nullification of the Article 370 and division of J & K into two Union Territories ?
It (the abrogation of Article 370) is like taking your soul out of the body. This is something that is most important for the entire state. We knew for some time that they (Centre) are thinking about it but we thought these are rumours. It was a terrible news, which nobody believed could be done in a democracy. Although many times they (Centre) have been bad to people of the state, especially to Kashmiris, but we never thought they will do this to us. If you go by the rules, they cannot do it. It is only by using the gun that they have been able to do such a thing.
Won’t J&K be fine without the special status?
People here are nothing without the special status. We will have to get back Article 370 in the state. Nothing will be alright without it. Even the people of Jammu and Ladakh are not happy as this decision was conveyed without taking people into confidence.
The BJP is saying the revocation will bring development in state.
No, I don’t agree because there has been development in this place from past 70 years, which has been going on in every field, especially in the education department, which made it compulsory for everybody to send their children to schools. Health sector was taken care of very well. We always had so much development that everyone knew how to live a proper life. In fact, we have more than any other state at this time.
Most of your family members, including your brother Farooq Abdullah and nephew Omar Abdullah, are under arrest.
You can’t dream or imagine such things happening in a democratic country. This is just unacceptable.
The BJP leaders say Sheikh Abdullah was also jailed by the Congress government.
Yes, my father was detained for defending the special status of J&K and the Centre wanted some things to be removed from whatever they had agreed on. When my father didn’t agree, he along with other leaders was arrested. But they never went as far as what the BJP has done now. They (BJP) are trying everything to finish the Kashmiris.
Many people say political mainstream has been pushed to the wall by the Centre after revocation of Article 370?
Yes, the mainstream leadership has been choked completely. They (centre) have throttled everyone in order to do all the wrong things. When the mainstream leadership met at my brother’s Gupkar residence, they told people to be calm no matter what happens. Otherwise, the government would have loved to kill thousands of people. This is what has been happening from so many years now. The BJP leaders keep saying that they didn’t kill anyone or shoot anyone. Thanks to the people of
Kashmir and the mainstream leaders who ensured that people remain calm.
Do you see your brother, Farooq Abdullah or nephew Omar Abdullah reconcile with the Centre with the passage of time?
I don’t think so. The Centre has broken ties with us by scrapping Article 370 and have finished their relationship with J&K. We are free and have nothing to do with them.
Will there be different politics in J&K now?
If the Centre pushes you to the wall then you can always think of something which is better at that moment. One has to find ways to safeguard your people.
After the abrogation, some say your father Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s decision to go with India was not right.
I don’t agree with it. My father (Sheikh sahib) was right at that time. Firstly, there was no other way out and it wasn’t for him to agree to Pakistan or India at that moment. The Maharaja was owner of this place. He had bought this place along with the people. It was for him to decide where he wanted to go and at that time it became important to be part of India to save the state. There was no other way.
Your family has hosted Mahatma Gandhi and top Indian politicians and had close ties with many of them. Do you think now the Indian politicians have changed their views about your family vis-a-vis Kashmir?
They never liked our family because we have always put the people first. India has changed. What Gandhi ji fought for and the way he kept everybody in mind, has gone now. He was a leader of everyone and wanted best for everyone.
There are reports that some places and institutions named after your father Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah are being changed. How do you view this?
It doesn’t change anything. My father (Sheikh sahib) did what he had to do for his people and the state. He has done so much for the state that no matter how many names they change of the buildings, parks or whatever, it will not affect anything. My father was like the Sun and its light cannot be blocked. He was the saviour of people, no matter what their religion was.
How many times did the government not allow you to move out of the house?
After August 5, I kept telling them to allow us to go out. I tried to go out with my brother (senior NC leader Mustafa
Kamal) and his son (Muzuffar Shah) but we were not allowed. Before this the officials had told us that we all are free.
Your family including your husband and former J&K CM Ghulam Mohammad Shah had estranged relationships with Farooq Abdullah’s family. Have you reconciled now?
There were not many differences within our families. It was always other people trying to separate us. My husband did a lot for the National Conference. We are also a part of the NC.
Have you spoken to Farooq Abdullah after his arrest ?
Yes, I spoke to my brother on phone after his detention. He (Farooq sahib) told me everything will be alright and this shall pass.
Do you see a merger of your party with the NC?
Anything can happen now. The removal of the state’s special status should bring all of us together, be it any political party. When the Centre abrogated Article 370, it seemed as if the Himalayas are falling on all of us. This time we better be united. We have to fight for our rights.