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Farooq Abdullah thanked God that the South remains free from communal forces that have been trying to polarise the nation.
Farooq Abdullah hugs Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. (Image: X)
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday appealed for national unity to fight for peace and dignity of the people of his state. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan listened keenly to the emotionally charged speech of the former J&K Chief Minister and gave him a warm hug after he returned to his seat following the address.
Abdullah was speaking at the valedictory function of Vision-2031, an international seminar on development and democracy organised by the Kerala State Planning Commission in Thiruvananthapuram.
“We look at you and we say to ourselves, Allah, when will you wake up so that we can also walk freely, talk freely, think freely. That’s what democracy is–of the people, for the people, by the people. Our children and our people who suffered, continue to suffer, even now in the north, yes, calling them Pakistanis,” he said during the speech.
“Our children, studying in schools and colleges and universities, have to pay a heavy price. When will this end?” the National Conference leader asked as tears rolled from his eyes and his voice choked.
Abdullah further thanked God that the South remains free from communal forces that have been trying to polarise the nation.
“I took this journey at 90 years of age, to tell you, think of us, pray for us so that we can get out of this tragedy that we are facing today in the north. Thank God South is still free, and I hope it remains free and develops and gets stronger. We get strength from you,” Abdullah said.
Farooq Abdullah On Article 370
The former J&K Chief Minister further criticised the BJP and the RSS for trying to “communally divide” the people of the country purely for electoral victory. Abdullah said that the abrogation of Article 370 and the conversion of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory have not put an end to terrorism.
“But now I ask you, since August 2019, has terrorism disappeared? Has it gone? Have you forgotten Pulwama, where our 40 brave soldiers died? Have you forgotten Pahalgam? Have you forgotten recently? Udhampur,” Abdullah asked.
He said the BJP always maintained that Article 370 was the reason for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. “They said Article 370, which had been bestowed on Kashmir, created terrorism. That was their main factor. And what happened, they blew (sic) this drum all over the nation, and you bought it,” Abdhullah said.
He said his state was turned into a Union Territory, and the Assembly is rendered completely powerless. Abdullah further attacked the Union Government’s alleged attempt to centralise everything and to “unconstitutionally intervene” in the powers of the state governments.
(With agency inputs)
Kerala, India, India
February 18, 2026, 06:01 IST
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