Pakistan not wearing bangles, India couldn't get PoK in 70 years, says Farooq Abdullah

Less than a week after his 'PoK belongs to Pakistan ' remark, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday sparked off another controversy by saying that Pakistan was "not weak to allow India to take that part of Jammu and Kashmir under its occupation."

The National Conference leader was addressing party workers in Uri area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district. He said, "How long shall we keep saying that (PoK) is our part? It (PoK) is not their father's share. That (PoK) is Pakistan's and this (J-K) is India's. As many as 70 years have "passed but they (India) could not get it (PoK)".

Farooq added, "Today, they (India) claim it is their 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 bombs. Before we think about war, we should think how we will live as humans", Abdullah said.

The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar had raked up a controversy last week when he said that PoK belongs to Pakistan and it won't change even if the two countries fight wars against each other.

"In plain terms, I tell not only the people of India, but also to the world that the part (of J-K) which is with Pakistan (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and this side to India. This won't change. Let them fight as many wars as they want to. This won't change," he had said.

His comments had drawn the wrath of the BJP and a case was also filed against him in Bihar.

"A case has been filed against me. That too by a Muslim. May God protect him. Look at his situation. He does not know Kashmir. He does not know our situation. They (Pakistan) drop a bomb, common people and soldiers die here (in Kashmir). When a bomb is dropped from here, our people and soldiers die in PoK. For how long will this storm continue? Till when will the blood of innocents continue to flow", he told his party workers.

'HOPE PEOPLE CAN MOVE FREELY ACROSS LoC SOMEDAY'

He said that he hoped a day would come when people move freely across the Line of Control (LoC).

"Hopefully, a day will come when you may cross the Line of Control (LoC) like someone crossing from one house to another. Believe that such a day will come. Without that, there will be no peace in the country", he said.

Reacting to Farooq's statement, Congress spokesperson RPN Singh said in Delhi that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and would always remain so.

"Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. We do not any certificate from any person on this", he said.

The NC president also said the time had come to start "reversing all central laws that were extended to the state after 1953 in continuation of the spirit of the state's unique political arrangement with the rest of the country".

He said the "erosion of the state's autonomy is the genesis of the political problem in Jammu and Kashmir that had created a sense of disenchantment and disillusionment among people".

"The restoration of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir is non-negotiable", he asserted.

The former chief minister sought to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his Independence Day speech where he underlined the need to embrace the people of Kashmir.

"Modi should now take concrete steps to engage with the people of Kashmir with full dignity and respect for their sentiments in a sustained effort to resolve the Kashmir issue", Farooq added.

(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)

WATCH VIDEO | Actor Rishi Kapoor supports Farooq, says POK belongs to Pakistan