Farooq Abdullah Denies Any Deliberate Attempt to Undermine Kashmir’s Fruit Industry, Calls Highway Closure an Act of Nature
Srinagar, Sept 17: National Conference president and Member of Parliament Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday dismissed allegations that the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was part of a deliberate attempt to sabotage Kashmir’s vital fruit industry. Speaking to reporters in Anantnag, the veteran leader attributed the disruption not to human interference but to natural forces, describing it as “God’s wrath” brought upon by humanity’s own failings.
“There is no deliberate attempt to destroy the fruit trade,” Abdullah said when asked about accusations from several political leaders who alleged that fruit-laden trucks were being deliberately stranded on the highway. “Did people break the mountains? Did it rain because of people? This is God’s wrath because we have distanced ourselves from Him.” He further remarked that calamities such as road blockages should serve as reminders for people to reconnect with faith and compassion. “Do we share God’s blessings with the poor? We must learn to do so. Only then will He take us out of these troubles,” Abdullah observed.
The former chief minister, while urging people to see the crisis from a spiritual perspective, also drew a parallel with global conflicts. Referring to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, he said, “Look at what is happening there—Israel is trying to wipe them out. Thousands are dying, yet no Muslim country is raising its voice. Why? Because they too have moved far from God and forgotten His presence.”
Asked about whether local leaders were playing politics over the fruit industry’s crisis, Abdullah responded candidly, suggesting that political opportunism is unavoidable in Kashmir. “Politics will never stop here. Their homes run on it. They get money from their godfather and survive on those blessings. The day that money stops, they too will collapse,” he remarked, pointing to the dependence of many leaders on central support.
Abdullah’s comments come at a time when fruit growers and traders in Kashmir are grappling with heavy losses due to delays in transporting produce, as frequent landslides and weather-related disruptions have choked the Valley’s only all-weather road link with the rest of the country. The industry, considered the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, has often been at the center of political debate, with opposition parties accusing governments of neglecting the sector during crises.
By dismissing the claims of deliberate sabotage and emphasizing the natural causes behind the disruption, Abdullah sought to shift the focus away from political blame games and instead urged introspection, compassion, and faith as guiding principles in navigating adversity.
