New Delhi: The assassination bid on former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah figured in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with opposition parties blaming revocation of statehood for the incident, while the Centre promised a comprehensive investigation.
Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised the issue when the House met for the day, saying the former chief minister’s security was at risk.
“His security is under threat because statehood of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked,” he said, adding that when local security and police arrangements were previously with the state government, no such incident could occur.
The situation in Jammu and Kashmir today is because the security is with the Union Home Ministry after the revocation of statehood, he alleged. “Law and order has broken down and conspiracy is being hatched to eliminate important leaders.”
He said Abdullah was saved by a whisker as he was fired at during a marriage function on the outskirts of Jammu on Wednesday night.
“Is it the intention of the government to kill Farooq Abdullah?” the Congress president asked. “If the intention was to safeguard him, he should have had full security cover.”
People will be safe when the state gets full statehood, he said. “People of Kashmir are not safe in your hands,” he told the Centre.
He went on to allege that there was a conspiracy being hatched to eliminate people who stand for secularism, socialism and keeping the country united.
The accused, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, was quickly overpowered and taken into custody.
Responding to the concerns, The Union government on Thursday termed the murderous attack on veteran leader Farooq Abdullah a matter of “great concern” and assured the Rajya Sabha that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure his security.
The government is taking the assassination bid with utmost seriousness, Leader of the House and Union minister J P Nadda said.
Nadda’s statement came in response to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s allegation that there seemed to be a conspiracy to eliminate Abdullah – who has Z+ category security – and blaming revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood for the incident.
“A murderous attack on Abdullah is a matter of great concern and a very serious matter…,” Nadda said.
He said a thorough investigation is being conducted to ascertain the motive of the arrested assassin and to prevent any such security lapse in the future.
The security of the National Conference party president is a matter of great importance and the investigation will not be limited to the arrest, the minister added.
He assured the members that “appropriate action will be taken”.
Accepting the severity of the attack on Abdullah, Nadda strongly rebutted the opposition’s attempt to use the security breach to comment on the political status of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Reaching a conclusion that this happened because (Jammu and Kashmir) was not given statehood… and making allegations that there is in a way a conspiracy being hatched to kill him… is condemnable,” Nadda said.
He also stated that it would not be correct to politicise the issue as investigation into the security breach was still active.
Nadda also went on to attack the Congress party for not being able to give satisfactory answers on the mysterious death of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee in 1953 in Srinagar.
National Conference MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan also alleged that there was no police protection for Abdullah at the time of the attack. He demanded that the security of the former chief minister must be upgraded.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal also condemned the attack on Farooq Abdullah.
“It is an incident that raises concern. By the grace of God, he had a narrow escape,” Hooda told reporters.
SAD chief Sukhbir Badal also condemned the attack.
“Shocked to learn of the cowardly attempt on Uncle Farooq Abdullah’s life yesterday. Thankfully, he is safe and unharmed,” Badal said in a post on X.
“The Abdullah family has always stood steadfastly for peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir, making this attack all the more painful. Though it was a terrifying incident, my heart fills with immense shukrana to Gurusahab for protecting him. Standing firmly with you always, my brother @OmarAbdullah,” Badal said in the post.
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said that the Abdullah family has long been a strong voice for peace and harmony, which makes such an incident even more heartbreaking.
“Disturbing to hear about the cowardly attack targeting Farooq Abdullah Ji yesterday. It is reassuring that he remains safe and unharmed,” Majithia took to X.
He further wrote, “The Abdullah family has long been a strong voice for peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir, which makes such an incident even more heartbreaking. Despite the frightening turn of events, I offer heartfelt shukrana to Gurusahab for protecting him.”
“Standing in complete solidarity with you, my brother @OmarAbdullah,” he said.
