A major political controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after National Conference (NC) President Dr. Farooq Abdullah linked recent terror strikes in the region to his party’s ongoing push for the restoration of J&K’s statehood.
The comments, made in the wake of a recent attack in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district where two non-local labourers were shot dead, have drawn sharp criticism from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Core Contention: Abdullah Questions Timing of Violence
Speaking to media persons following the attacks, the former Chief Minister questioned official claims regarding the eradication of terrorism following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. He noted a recurring pattern between demands for administrative autonomy and sudden spikes in militant activity.
“Whenever the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood gains momentum, such disturbing incidents occur. Why does this repeatedly happen? The people deserve credible answers.”
— Dr. Farooq Abdullah, NC President
Abdullah further demanded a fair, transparent, and time-bound investigation into the killings to identify the perpetrators, while also expressing concern over human rights conditions in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and calling on international bodies to intervene.
Opposition Pushback: PDP & BJP Slam Remarks
The statement drew immediate condemnation across political lines, with opponents accusing the National Conference leadership of politicizing a national security tragedy.
1. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti, termed the NC’s framing as “illogical conspiracy theories” that divert attention from terror atrocities:
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Politicizing Grief: Asserted that moments of violence against innocent workers should not be used as leverage for statehood negotiations.
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Government Focus: Argued that the regional administration appears overly fixated on statehood rhetoric while critical security gaps persist.
2. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Senior BJP leaders rejected Abdullah’s premise, accusing him of attempting to shift focus away from cross-border terrorism:
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Justification Allegations: BJP leadership characterized the remarks as an attempt to create confusion and rationalize terror acts rather than presenting a united front against extremism.
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Security Counter: Maintained that security forces continue targeted anti-terror operations across the Union Territory and that terror infrastructure is being systematically dismantled.
Political Breakdown of Positions
| Party / Figure | Primary Stance | Key Quotes / Arguments |
| Farooq Abdullah (NC) | Links terror attacks to statehood momentum; demands impartial investigation. | “Why do such incidents happen whenever we seek statehood?” |
| Iltija Mufti (PDP) | Condemns linking statehood to terror attacks; warns against politicizing loss of life. | “A moment of grief shouldn’t be politicised.” |
| Ravinder Raina (BJP) | Accuses NC of deflecting blame from terrorists and creating public confusion. | “He is just justifying this terror attack and relating this attack to statehood.” |
The debate highlights ongoing tensions in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape, where governance status, regional security, and electoral politics remain tightly intertwined.
