National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah adressing press convention in Srinagar, on September 25, 2025. | Photo Credit: Imran Nissar
A day after Leh witnessed violence over statehood calls for, Mr. Abdullah emphasised that Ladakh is a delicate space.
“I want to tell the government that it (Ladakh) is a border state. China is lurking, they have occupied land. It is time to resolve it quickly. The government should hold talks and resolve it,” Mr. Abdullah instructed reporters in Srinagar.
Leh violence LIVE
Asked concerning the authorities blaming local weather activist Sonam Wangchuk for the violence, the previous chief minister stated the peace activist was not answerable for it.
“He (Wangchuk) has never left the Gandhian way. The youth have sidelined him today. He is not responsible for it. When they (BJP) lost elections, they imposed safety law and put people in jails. Now they are using CBI. More they use force to suppress, the bigger the danger. I want to tell the government of India not to use force and instead hold dialogue,” he added.
Four individuals have been killed and at the least 80 injured in day-long clashes on Wednesday throughout a shutdown known as by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which is backing an agitation demanding statehood for Ladakh.
Asked if there have been exterior forces stirring up bother Ladakh, the previous Chief Minister dismissed the suggestion.
“There is no external hand. It is the voice of the people,” he added.
Mr. Abdullah stated for the previous 5 years, the individuals of Ladakh have been silently protesting for sixth schedule and statehood.
“Their leader walked from Leh to Delhi to press for the demands. He adopted Gandhian way, not agitation. But the youth felt that the promises were hollow. The result was that they could not bear it any more,” he added.
Mr. Abdullah stated the Centre ought to be taught a lesson from the Ladakh scenario and fulfil its guarantees with regard to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Statehood was promised to Jammu and Kashmir but where is it? They should learn a lesson. Where are the promises you made with us? Where are the jobs? People from outside are being imposed,” he stated.
Asked if his celebration supported the violent agitation in Ladakh, he stated National Conference has by no means left Gandhian approach.
“We gave sacrifices but never took to violence. However, what the youth do in future, I cannot say that for sure,” he stated.
Replying to a query about BJP blaming Congress for Ladakh violence, Abdullah stated it was an try to deflect the accountability.
“BJP has been ruling since 2019. Where did the Congress come from? They (BJP) always try to deflect. Congress cannot gather 10 persons,” he stated.
Mr. Abdullah held the Central authorities leaders answerable for the scenario in Ladakh.
“Hold talks, don’t talk about holding talks …The leaders in Delhi are responsible for what is happening. They kept them busy with talks without anything substantial. They (youth) are feeling let down.The government should move now faster and resolve the issue,” he stated.
Mr. Abdullah stated if a void is left in Ladakh area, another person will attempt to fill it.
“Somebody will fill the gap. It is a very sensitive area. They (China) are craving for Ladakh. The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) had gone to China. Why did he go there? To improve relations,” he stated.
Mr. Abdullah stated the United States was now blaming India for Russian warfare on Ukraine.
“America is coming after us for buying Russian oil. President Trump accused us of supporting war on Ukraine but the truth is we have not supported it,” he stated.
Reacting to authorities assertion that no land has been occupied by China in Ladakh, Mr. Abdullah stated the entire world is aware of how a lot land they’ve taken.
“We cannot even patrol our land. How long we will live in a world of lies?” he charged.
Published – September 25, 2025 03:34 pm IST
