Prove my father wrong by taking PoK back, Omar Abdullah challenges Centre

Farooq Abdullah made controversial remarks earlier this week saying PoK was part of Pakistan while J&K is part of India

Omar Abdullah
Farooq Abdullah
Press Trust of India Srinagar
Last Updated : Nov 16 2017 | 8:01 PM IST
A day after Farooq Abdullah's controversial remark on PoK, son Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Centre should prove his father wrong with "actions" by taking back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"I don't understand the 'if we try'. What is stopping you from getting it back? Prove Dr (Farooq) Abdullah wrong with your actions rather than with hollowed out words," Omar Abdullah tweeted.
The National Conference leader was reacting to Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hans Raj Ahir's statement that no one can stop India from taking back PoK.

"I say Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir is a part of India and due to the mistakes of the previous governments, it has been with Pakistan. If we try to get PoK back, no one can stop us because it is our right," Ahir said on the sidelines of a function in Delhi.

Farooq Abdullah made controversial remarks earlier this week saying PoK was part of Pakistan while Jammu and Kashmir is part of India.

He said India and Pakistan may fight as many wars as they can but this cannot be changed.

Despite drawing flak, the National Conference president continued with his controversial remarks and while addressing a party function in Uri town of Baramulla district yesterday said that Pakistan was "not weak and not wearing bangles to allow India to take that part of Jammu and Kashmir under its occupation".

"How long shall we keep saying that (PoK) is our part? It (PoK) is not their father's share. That (PoK) is Pakistan and this (J-K) is India," he had said.

He said 70 years have "passed but they (India) could not get it (PoK)".

"Today, they (India) claim it is our part. So take it (PoK), we are also saying please take it (from Pakistan). We will also see. They (Pakistan) are not weak and are not wearing bangles. They too have atom bomb. Before we think about war, we should think how we will live as humans," Farooq Abdullah had said.

Hitting out at Ahir, Omar Abdullah asked if he included the decision of the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to respect the sanctity of Line of Control (LoC).

"And in 'previous governments' do you include Vajpayee Sb's decision to respect sanctity of LoC during the Kargil War as well?" he asked.

In an earlier tweet yesterday, Omar Abdullah, reacting to Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad's remarks, said he wanted to know what successive Congress governments did since 1947 to get back PoK.

"That's excellent news. Perhaps Azad Sb may like to explain what successive Congress governments have done since 47 to get it back," he wrote.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 16 2017 | 8:00 PM IST

Next Story