Farooq Abdullah

Mamdani's victory clarion call for collective progress: Farooq Abdullah

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday congratulated Zohran Mamdani on his resounding victory in the New York City mayoral election. In a statement issued by the National Conference, Abdullah praised Mamdani's campaign as a beacon of hope amid rising divisions, emphasising his unwavering commitment to fostering unity in a diverse setting. "Zohran Mamdani's stunning victory is not merely a personal milestone but a clarion call for collective progress," the former chief minister said. "His election sends a message of unity and compassion. Its a reminder that when we reject hate and embrace humanity, we build bridges that endure," he added. Mamdani, the 34-year-old Indian-origin democratic socialist, pulled off a stunning victory in the fiercely contested New York city mayoral elections, riding on an electrifying campaign to become the first South Asian, youngest and Muslim to helm the administration of the world's financial capital.

Farooq Abdullah hails Israel-Hamas ceasefire, hopes lasting peace in Gaza

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and expressed hope that it would pave the way for peace after two years of "heartbreaking" conflict. "This is an important and much-needed development. I sincerely hope it will lead to immediate and sustained humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza who have suffered immensely," Abdullah said in a statement. He stressed the need for all parties to uphold and fully implement the terms of the ceasefire, emphasising that only through commitment and compassion can true peace be achieved. "It is imperative that this truce evolves into a permanent ceasefire. Let this be the beginning of a just, comprehensive, and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue, one that upholds human dignity, justice, and international law," he added. Calling for urgent action to scale up humanitarian assistance, Abdullah reiterated the global responsibility to support the war-ravaged ...

PM should've talked about J-K's statehood in address to nation: Farooq

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have talked about restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood in his address to the nation. Modi explained the benefits of the GST reforms to the people in his address to the nation on Sunday evening. The revised GST rates came into effect on Monday. "You are talking about GST, it would have been better had you (Modi) talked about our statehood in the speech," Abdullah told reporters here. Asked if the NC is hopeful of getting a favourable judgement from the Supreme Court -- where a petition on the matter is listed for hearing in the second week of October -- Abdullah said every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir is hoping that statehood would be restored. "Not just the National Conference, but everyone has hopes that we will get our statehood back," he said. Asked about JKLF chairman Yasin Malik's case, the former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir said it wa

India in difficult phase, but secularism will endure, says Farooq Abdullah

India is going through a "difficult phase", and Muslims have "fear", former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah said on Friday, as he also stressed that no one can finish secularism in India. He was speaking at the launch of book "The Lion of Naushera", a book on the life of Brigadier Mohammed Usman, the highest-ranking officer of the Indian Army killed in action during the Indo-Pakistani War in 1948, written by Ziya Us Salam and Anand Mishra. "India is passing through a difficult phase, the Muslims have a fear, but the fear is there because the larger society is not of communal thought, but it is suppressed," Abdullah said at the book launch. "But I don't believe India will not get out of it. That day will come..." he said, and added, "No one can finish our secularism," he said. Abdullah Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted Kashmir to join Pakistan, but Sheikh Abdullah chose Gandhi's India. "Jinnah believed Muslims are fools, Kashmir will come with us.... When the raiders came

Arab countries next target of US, Israel, says J&K Ex-CM Farooq Abdullah

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah warned the Arab countries on Monday that they will be the next target of Israel and the US as Tel Aviv and Washington are eyeing their oil and gas. "It is their (United States') long-time policy that Iran should not become a nuclear power. Even the Sunni countries in the region are against it but they do not have the courage to speak up. "Today, they think Iran has been attacked, but I want to warn them through you that one day, Israel will attack them also, because they want their wealth like oil and gas. Israel is only a facade, America is standing right behind," Abdullah told reporters after a party meeting at Nawa-i-Subah here. Asked about the impact of the escalation of the war in the Middle East, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said it will severely affect the economic condition of all countries. "I am hopeful that the (other) world powers are watching the situation. If this (war) escalates, the economic condition

A S Dulat's new book explores betrayal, belief and Farooq's Kashmir

He never considered independence for Kashmir, but Delhi still failed to trust him fully

Watch: Farooq Abdullah takes a ride in Vande Bharat from Srinagar to Katra

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday took his maiden ride in the recently inaugurated Vande Bharat train from Srinagar to Katra township.

Train to J&K boon to tourists, as well as locals, says Farooq Abdullah

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said the new train service to Kashmir launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will benefit the locals as well as tourists. "I am very happy that I am traveling by this train to Katra today. It has been the biggest benefit for us," Abdullah, who was accompanied by several party colleagues, told reporters before boarding the train. The former J-K chief minister said the train that connects Kashmir with the rest of India will be a reliable transport link for the people of the valley. "The road (between Srinagar and Jammu) gets closed sometimes and the airlines start fleecing the people by jacking up the prices. With this train, people will be saved from that," he said. Abdullah said the railway link will also prove to be beneficial to the horticulture sector in Kashmir as the produce will reach the markets faster. "It will also benefit tourists visiting Kashmir," he added.

Amarnath yatra success will show there is peace in Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday said a successful Amarnath Yatra will help send a message to the rest of the country that there is peace in Kashmir. The annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3. "It is a good thing that Amarnath pilgrims will come. The maximum number should come so that a message goes out that there is peace here (in Kashmir)," Abdullah told reporters at Baba Nagri in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the damage that Kashmir suffered in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack can be mitigated by a peaceful Amarnath Yatra. Abdullah, who was at Baba Nagri to attend the annual urs, said he prayed for peace on the country. "I prayed for peace in the country, a better future for our youth and an end to the atmosphere of hatred that we are going through," he added.

Kashmir's atmosphere of fear has reduced to large extent: Farooq Abdullah

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday asserted that the atmosphere of fear in Kashmir has significantly reduced and urged the tourists to visit the valley again to enjoy its beauty. The former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir also urged the External Affairs Ministry to make efforts for getting revoked the negative travel advisories issued by some countries against visiting J-K. Tourism in Kashmir has been hit after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. "What happened here (Pahalgam attack) was very sad, it should not have happened. People were coming here happily. People were busy with their work, they were not asking for government jobs. The situation was such in Pahalgam that there were no rooms available here," Abdullah told PTI Videos here. The NC chief visited the tourist resort and played golf at the Pahalgam Golf Course along with some friends. He said while the attack created an atmosphere of fear, the governmen

Mehbooba lauds navy officer's wife for peace appeal, slams Farooq Abdullah

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday lauded Pahalgam terror attack victim Lt Vinay Narwal's widow Himanshi for her appeal for communal harmony, saying the country should draw inspiration from her. Mentioning Himanshi Narwal's "don't want people going after Muslims and Kashmiris" comment, Mehbooba sought to corner National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah for his remarks to a section of media that attacks like the one in Pahalgam on April 22 cannot happen without support. In a media interview, the NC chief had said, "I do not think these things can happen unless someone helped them. They came from there. How did they come?" The PDP president said Abdullah's remarks were not only "misleading" but also "fatal", especially at a time when students and traders from Jammu and Kashmir were highly vulnerable and prone to attacks after the Pahalgam incident that left the nation grieving and outraged. "Farooq Sahab's statement implicating Kashmiris in the Pahalgam terror attack is deeply ...

Reports of Farooq Abdullah backing Article 370 'absolute nonsense': Dulat

Former RAW chief A S Dulat on Friday vehemently refuted claims suggesting that former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah privately supported the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, dismissing those as "absolute nonsense". Speaking at the launch of his book titled 'The Chief Minister and the Spy' here, he addressed the controversy that erupted following media reports that Abdullah had "privately" suggested that he would have helped in the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 had he been taken into confidence. Dulat asserted that "there was not a single Kashmiri who spoke in favour of the abrogation." He cited former Finance Minister P Chidambaram's description of the move as a "monumental blunder," emphasising the widespread opposition within the region. Dulat, the former head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the external intelligence agency of the country, detailed his meeting with Abdullah following his release from detention in February 2020. "I cou

Farooq Abdullah slams ex-R&AW chief Dulat over Article 370 claims in book

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday dismissed ex-R&AW chief A S Dulat's claims that he had "privately backed" the Article 370 abrogation as a "cheap stunt" to boost the sales of the top spy's forthcoming memoir. He suggested that Dulat's motive behind penning the book -- 'The Chief Minister and the Spy', slated for release on April 18 -- could be an attempt to reach the power corridors or earn a lot of money. "It is possible that he wants to make a new relationship," Abdullah told PTI. Reacting angrily to Dulat's assertion that the National Conference (NC) would have "helped" pass the proposal to abrogate the special status of the erstwhile state had it been taken into confidence, the 87-year-old president of the party said this was a "figment of imagination" of the author. Abdullah pointed out that both he and his son Omar Abdullah had been put under arrest for several months at the time of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. "We were

Farooq Abdullah urges PM Modi to act over 'slashing of India's Haj quota'

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after reports emerging from Saudi Arabia indicated India's Haj quota has been abruptly slashed. The former Union minister said every Muslim dreams to go on the Haj pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime. "I would like to request the prime minister to take up the matter as he is close to the country (Saudi Arabian leadership," Abdullah told PTI Videos at his residence here. He was responding to a question about some opposition leaders flagging the issue on Sunday even as there was no official word from the government on the matter so far. "He (the prime minister) should urge them (the Saudi Arabia leadership) that this issue is related to thousands of people... they save money so that they can go on this holy pilgrimage. It is a dream of every Muslim to go there," the former J-K chief minister said. Asked about the recently implemented Waqf (Amendment) Act, Abdullah said

Omar-led NC govt committed to empowering Sikhs in J-K: Farooq Abdullah

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday assured the Sikhs of Jammu and Kashmir that the Omar Abdullah-led government is committed to empowering the community with a specific focus on job opportunities and education. He made the remarks at Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Jammu's Nanak Nagar where he participated in a Gurmat Samagam' organised by the Sikh Youth Welfare Association to commemorate the Prakash Ustav' of Guru Gobind Singh -- the 10th guru of the Sikhs. "The Omar government is dedicated to empowering the Sikh community with a specific focus on enhancing employment opportunities for them and their education," the former chief minister said. Emphasising the role of Sikhs in the cultural tapestry of Jammu and Kashmir, he said the community has been neglected for far too long. "Since 2014, both the central and state governments have failed to address the needs of the Sikh community, leaving them marginalised, he said, adding Sikhs have a deep-rooted history in the ...

Statehood restoration to accelerate J-K development, says Farooq Abdullah

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah said that the restoration of the promised statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will give momentum to the ongoing developmental activities in the region and help the democratically elected government alleviate the suffering of the masses. During his interactions with the public and various delegations at his residence, the former chief minister said the Omar Abdullah-led government would ensure that the benefits of governance reach every doorstep. "The winds of change that have brought a democratic government to the region, with Omar sahib at the helm steering us towards safer shores, will work for every section of society, ensuring that the benefits of progress reach every doorstep," he said. He added that the signs of change are clear and development is on the rise, poised to accelerate once statehood is restored. "I am confident that the Centre will uphold its promise and grant full statehood, paving the way for rapid progress," Abdullah ..

Farooq Abdullah asks NC workers to prepare for panchayat elections

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Monday called upon party workers to start preparing for the upcoming panchayat elections, emphasizing the need for unity to "rebuild" Jammu and Kashmir. The development comes after the Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission on Monday concluded annual revision of panchayat electoral rolls and said more than 70 lakh voters, including over 34 lakh women, are eligible to vote in the upcoming panchayat elections. Prepare for elections. Whenever elections are held, be ready from today, he said, addressing a gathering of party workers here. He urged NC workers to choose candidates who genuinely want to serve the people and emphasized the need for honesty and unity to "rebuild" Jammu and Kashmir. Together, we can overcome these challenges and bring our region back on the path of progress, he said. Recalling the 2024 assembly elections, Abdullah said, In previous elections, many believed it wouldn't happen, but they were eventually ...

Farooq Abdullah's convoy car crash: One member of security team injured

A Delhi Police head constable, part of the escort team of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, was injured when the car convoy collided with a nilgai on Delhi-Mumbai expressway in Rajasthan's Dausa district, officials said on Saturday. The accident occurred near the expressway exit in Bhandarej around 1.45 pm on Friday when the National Conference leader was en route to Ajmer. Abdullah was in another vehicle, while the escort vehicle had four police personnel, including head constable Pappuram Meena, officials said. Meena was driving the Innova vehicle when it collided with the nilgai. "The injured head constable was taken to the district hospital where he was given primary treatment and discharged later," Sadar police station head constable Arvind Kumar said. He said that as soon as the accident occurred the other vehicles including the one carrying Abdullah stopped. The members of the escort team then left for Ajmer in another vehicle of the convoy. In Ajmer

INDIA bloc not just for polls: Farooq Abdullah after son's jibe at AAP-Cong

Abdullah said that his party seeks collaboration with the central government to resolve Jammu and Kashmir's challenges rather than engaging in confrontations

Govt should probe how people died: Farooq Abdullah on Tirupati stampede

Govt must take steps to oversee arrangements at such places thronged by a large number of people and to ensure such incidents do not happen again, he added