Srinagar, Apr 23: People’s Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Tuesday took a dig at the former chief minister and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah for his remarks against him and other political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir.
Farooq had targetted Lone, DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad and Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, accusing them of supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party. He also prayed that they may be “guided to the right path”.
Addressing a press conference here, Sajad said that Abdullah should focus on practising Islam at home before advising others on religious matters. He suggested that religious scholars should be the ones to determine who qualifies as a Muslim.
The PC chief accused Farooq of being paid to stir up controversy and questioned his sincerity in criticising him, Bukhari and Azad regarding their stance towards the BJP.
Lone mentioned the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, where thousands of Muslims lost their lives. He highlighted the involvement of the BJP and Shiv Sena in the demolition, questioning Abdullah’s past association with these parties when Omar Abdullah served as Foreign Minister. Now, with the BJP allied with Shiv Sena, Lone raised doubts about their commitment to Muslim interests.
Asserting his pride in Islam and respect for all religions, Sajad criticised the former chief minister for participating in Hindu religious practices like singing bhajans, which are not part of Islamic tradition. He accused Abdullah of promoting a “new brand of Islam” and called for religious scholars to determine authentic adherence to the faith.
Lone also accused the NC chief of playing the politics of polarisation, citing a statement Abdullah made during the Bihar elections stating people here support China. “Farooq’s silence after the elections implies a political agenda rather than genuine concern,” he said.
In a direct jab at Abdullah’s credibility, Sajad insisted that Abdullah should introspect on his own household’s practice of Islam before lecturing others. He rejected the idea of being a fraction of a Muslim, asserting that one must be fully committed to the faith.
He concluded by accusing Abdullah of harming Kashmiri Muslims in the past and now extending this harm to Muslims across India through digital means. “Farooq Abdullah has betrayed the interests of Muslims for his own gain,” Lone said.
