SRINAGAR: Former J&K chief minister Farooq Abdullah said on Saturday that an independent Kashmir was not a viable option as the Valley is landlocked and surrounded by three nuclear powers - India, Pakistan and China.
Abdullah, who's also the president of opposition National Conference, also said that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.
"In plain terms let me tell one and all that PoK belongs to Pakistan and this side to India. It is something that won't change, even if they (India and Pakistan) fight as many wars as they want," the Srinagar MP said on the sidelines of a party function. "There is nothing like the issue of freedom (independent Kashmir) here. We are landlocked. On one side we have China, Pakistan on the other side and India on the third side. All three of them have atom bombs. We have nothing except Allah's name."
"Those (separatists) who are talking about Azadi are talking wrong," the NC chief said.
His statement comes days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality".
Demanding greater autonomy for the strife-torn state, Abdullah said while the state decided to join India out of love, the country "betrayed" the people of Kashmir and did not treat them well.
"We should understand that there has been a decision (of accession), but India didn't treat us well. India betrayed us. They did not recognise the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir," he said.
"Internal autonomy is our right. They (Centre) should restore it. Only then the peace will return (to the Valley)," he said.
Referring to a statement made by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir about PoK being part of India, Abdullah invoked the instrument of accession signed by the then Maharaja Hari Singh, with the Indian government.
"You do not remember the instrument of accession and claim the other side of Kashmir administered by Pakistan. If that side is ours, then you should talk about the accession as well. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded?" he said.
Abdullah, who's also the president of opposition National Conference, also said that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.
"In plain terms let me tell one and all that PoK belongs to Pakistan and this side to India. It is something that won't change, even if they (India and Pakistan) fight as many wars as they want," the Srinagar MP said on the sidelines of a party function. "There is nothing like the issue of freedom (independent Kashmir) here. We are landlocked. On one side we have China, Pakistan on the other side and India on the third side. All three of them have atom bombs. We have nothing except Allah's name."
"Those (separatists) who are talking about Azadi are talking wrong," the NC chief said.
His statement comes days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality".
Demanding greater autonomy for the strife-torn state, Abdullah said while the state decided to join India out of love, the country "betrayed" the people of Kashmir and did not treat them well.
"We should understand that there has been a decision (of accession), but India didn't treat us well. India betrayed us. They did not recognise the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir," he said.
"Internal autonomy is our right. They (Centre) should restore it. Only then the peace will return (to the Valley)," he said.
Referring to a statement made by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir about PoK being part of India, Abdullah invoked the instrument of accession signed by the then Maharaja Hari Singh, with the Indian government.
"You do not remember the instrument of accession and claim the other side of Kashmir administered by Pakistan. If that side is ours, then you should talk about the accession as well. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded?" he said.
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