Srinagar, Sep 13:National Conference (NC) president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday expressed optimism that the Centre will acknowledge and respect the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir by restoring the region’s statehood. Speaking to reporters in Pahalgam, where he was present as a guest of honour at a golf tournament featuring around 50 golfers from across the country, Abdullah said he believes the demand for statehood will eventually be met. “God willing, that will also happen one day. We are hopeful that Delhi will pay attention to it. The prime minister will see to it that the people of Jammu and Kashmir want statehood to be restored,” Abdullah remarked.
Responding to questions on whether controversies such as the recent Hazratbal incident or tensions in Doda distract from core issues, Abdullah noted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have faced hardships since 1947, yet resilience and hope remain constant. “This is not something new. However, we have to come out of that… nothing is static, things move. God willing, the situation has improved here, and I am hopeful that the leadership of our country will understand this and try to further improve the situation by paying attention to the aspirations of the people here,” he said.
On September 5, Kashmir witnessed a controversy when a plaque bearing the Ashoka emblem was vandalized at the Hazratbal shrine, triggering widespread outrage and demands for action against Waqf Board chairperson Darakshan Andrabi. Around the same time, unrest grew in the Doda district after AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, elected in 2024, was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for allegedly disturbing public order and shifted to Kathua jail.
Abdullah also reflected on the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. He said the tragedy dealt a severe blow to tourism in the valley, a sector vital for the livelihood of thousands. “Tourism is essential for sustaining the economy of Kashmir. Be it poor or rich, everyone benefits from tourism. It remains shut for six months, so they earn for six months and sustain themselves in the winters,” he said. Stressing that the people of Kashmir were not behind the attack, Abdullah asserted that the valley stood united in condemning the act.
The veteran leader said that the golf tournament in Pahalgam was more than just a sporting event; it was a signal to the rest of the country that Kashmir remains safe and hospitable. “It is our endeavour to end fear among the people of the country after the April 22 attack. It is our friends who have organized the tournament so that a message goes out across the country that the situation is good now and everyone should come here to enjoy the hospitality,” he said.