Srinagar, Sept 15: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary, Tarun Chugh on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Abdullah family, holding them responsible for “sowing the seeds of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism” in Jammu & Kashmir and wreaking havoc on the region’s youth and economy.
Chugh, who also oversees BJP’s affairs in J&K and Ladakh, specifically blamed former chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah for aiding and abetting violence in the valley at the behest of Pakistan’s ISI. He accused Abdullah of being complicit in the exodus of over 1.5 lakh Hindus from the valley. It was the result of the brutalities carried out under his watch to secure his vote bank and please external forces, he alleged.
“Farooq Abdullah allowed violence to flourish in J&K to maintain political power, leaving the valley in turmoil,” Chugh said. He slammed the former chief minister for the prolonged period of terrorism, which paralysed J&K’s economy for more than two decades.
According to Chugh, the region was left without job opportunities, as trade, business and industrial development came to a standstill under Abdullah’s leadership.
The BJP leader said the abrogation of Article 370 marked a pivotal turning point for J&K and ushered in a new era of peace and development. “The youth of J&K have moved away from violence, replacing stones with computers and technology as they join the national mainstream,” he said. “Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there has been a significant decline in terrorism, the restoration of peace, and a new focus on development—something J&K never experienced under the leadership of the Abdullahs and Muftis.”
Chugh urged the NC chief to stop “divisive politics” and “reflect on how to bring true prosperity” to the region. “The removal of Article 370 dismantled a system that had previously promoted terrorism and separatism. By ending Article 370, we removed a key tool that was being exploited to fuel terrorism, which led to decades of bloodshed and instability,” he said.
