Farooq attack bid rocks Rajya Sabha, Opposition links incident to loss of statehood

New Delhi, 12-03-2026: The alleged assassination attempt on former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah triggered strong political reactions in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with the Opposition raising serious concerns over his security and linking the incident to the continued absence of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, while the Centre assured the House that a thorough and impartial investigation would be carried out. Reports said the firing incident took place on Wednesday evening during a wedding function in Jammu’s Greater Kailash area, where Dr Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary were present. Both leaders escaped unhurt and the accused was immediately overpowered and taken into custody.

Raising the issue soon after proceedings began in the Upper House, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said the incident was deeply disturbing and reflected a troubling security atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir. He argued that Dr Farooq Abdullah’s safety had come under threat after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, alleging that the present administrative and security framework had weakened local accountability. Kharge said that when Jammu and Kashmir had its own state structure, such lapses in protecting senior political leaders would not have occurred so easily. He also alleged that the deterioration in law and order had created a situation in which conspiracies could be hatched against prominent public figures.

In his sharp remarks, Kharge questioned whether adequate protection had been provided to the senior leader and said the country could not ignore an incident of such gravity. He maintained that restoration of full statehood was essential not only for democratic dignity but also for ensuring a stronger sense of institutional responsibility in matters of public safety. He further alleged that voices representing secular values and national unity were increasingly facing threats, and warned that such developments would deepen public anxiety in the region.

Responding on behalf of the government, Leader of the House and Union Minister J P Nadda described the attack as a matter of grave concern and said the Government of India was treating it with utmost seriousness. He assured the Rajya Sabha that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to determine the motive of the accused and to establish all circumstances surrounding the incident. Nadda also said that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure Dr Farooq Abdullah’s security. At the same time, he criticised attempts to immediately draw political conclusions from the incident, saying it was not appropriate to link the attack directly to the question of statehood or to suggest, without evidence, the existence of a larger conspiracy to eliminate him.

The issue also drew concern from National Conference MP Chowdhury Mohammad Ramzan, who reportedly alleged that Dr Abdullah did not have sufficient police protection at the time of the attack. He demanded that the former Chief Minister’s security be upgraded in view of the seriousness of the threat. The incident has once again brought political security, administrative responsibility and the debate over Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood to the centre of national discussion. It has also intensified calls for a clear assessment of how such a grave breach could occur despite the presence of a high-profile leader with significant public stature.