Kashmir is not India's personal property to be inherited, says Farooq Abdullah

E-Paper | April 28, 2026

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Friday, while cautioning the Indian government, said that Kashmir is not India's "personal property to be inherited", News18.com reported.

Farooq Abdullah was commenting on the Indian parliament's standing resolution on Kashmir. "Is this your forefathers property?”

He was addressing a gathering in Chenab Valley, in the presence of his son and Omar Abdullah, who has also served as Kashmir's chief minister.

Farooq Abdullah also said that Pakistan is one of the stakeholders of the Kashmir issue which even the government of India has accepted, adding that the India will have no option but to start talks with Pakistan so that the “atrocities through which people of Jammu and Kashmir are undergoing will come to an end.”

Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since 1947, but both claim the territory in its entirety.

Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting since 1989.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

World

'Water belonging to India cannot go to Pakistan,' says Modi

Kashmir issue will be resolved through indigenous struggle, says Aziz

India refuses talks over Kashmir issue with Pakistan

Taimoor khan

Nov 25, 2016 09:11pm

About time Modi and his govt realise this. False bravado will sink them further.

Recommend 0

Ijaz

Nov 25, 2016 09:13pm

Not sure he or his son did anything to advance the cause of Kashmiris when he was Chief Minister. Nevertheless, he is right to point out that only through multilateral dialogue with India, Pakistan and Hurriyet representatives can we ever hope to achieve peace.

Recommend 0

Osman

Nov 25, 2016 09:25pm

Correct observation at last.

Recommend 0

RHS

Nov 25, 2016 09:32pm

A little late for the House of Abdullah to be speaking up. Why now?

Recommend 0

Ahsan

Nov 25, 2016 09:37pm

We both India and Pakistan have many basic problems for our impoverished nations. Let's address those issues instead of wasting our energy on futile matters

Recommend 0

Unknown

Nov 25, 2016 09:37pm

Poor fellow is venting out his frustrations over losing all those unaccounted black money. Did nothing to the people when in Power, can't do any thing now.

Recommend 0

mOhammed

Nov 25, 2016 09:38pm

Agreed India and Pakistan are the stakeholders of the Kashmir issue but non have them any right to say Kashmir belongs to either of them this is the peoples of Kashmir to say either they like to stay with India or Pakistan or they want the Kashmir to be an independent state.

Recommend 0

Punjabi_puttar

Nov 25, 2016 09:49pm

No its the inherited property of the Abdullahs Who have imposed a foreign language on Kashmiris And done ZERO things to facilitate the displaced Pandits

Recommend 0

AJANBEE

Nov 25, 2016 09:50pm

He lost power so he has to say something. He was at he helm of affairs for long time and Kashmir had remain same for last 25 years when terrorists were introduced in late 80's.

Recommend 0

Erdogan

Nov 25, 2016 09:49pm

Funny how every former chief minister of Indian occupied kashmir is critical of India but when they were in power there was nothing but praise and yes sir no sir attitude to the central government.

Recommend 0

Ihtesham Kayani

Nov 25, 2016 10:09pm

@Taimoor khan Modi came to power on anti Pakistan rhetoric. He is yet to prove something on ground, so far only 'false surgical strikes' are in his credentials. False bravado, like you said, may push him to another adventure, instead of realizing to solve Kashmir dispute.

Recommend 0

Jamil Soomro,NEW YORK CITY

Nov 25, 2016 10:12pm

What a gutsy fearless praiseworthy powerful statement.

Recommend 0

Anil

Nov 25, 2016 10:13pm

@Ijaz oh! Nothing, actually recently his allowances have been curtailed and security withdrawn by Delhi. That is why this opportunists mood is off now a days.

Recommend 0

Zealot

Nov 25, 2016 10:16pm

Still credit should be given to their Courage the way they still stand up with absolute SHAME.AND THEIR ABILITY TO WILFULLY DENY IT DESPITE MORALLY DEGRADED EVEN AT INDEPENDENCE DAY

Recommend 0

Aftab Hashmi

Nov 25, 2016 10:19pm

@Ijaz All are political rhetoric. No one is really serious but only those who stand in front of Indian savages. Those youth, we need to give credit too.

Recommend 0

kARimullah

Nov 25, 2016 10:19pm

After demonetization, these waste fellows start talking about Kashmir.

Recommend 0

Jakoji

Nov 25, 2016 10:24pm

First & most important point - Pakistan is not a rival of India..

Recommend 0

shaffiq qureshi

Nov 25, 2016 10:30pm

Well at least they have finally admitted that Kashmir is not India property

Recommend 0

Khawar Saleem Aslam

Nov 25, 2016 10:31pm

Every sane person will emphasise dialogue.Modi however is very unlikely to go for dialogue and peace. He has a track record not to be forgotten.

Recommend 0

omar

Nov 25, 2016 10:36pm

Good Luck Mr. Abdullah.

Recommend 0

Swetha

Nov 25, 2016 10:35pm

What did he do when he was CM?

Recommend 0

Sam

Nov 25, 2016 10:39pm

Politicians somehow want to be in news. He should just stay in London as a good immigrant.

Recommend 0

Nov 25, 2016 10:41pm

Enough is enough and now India should vacate Kashmir.

Recommend 0

Nov 25, 2016 10:43pm

But elections are still long way off Farooq !

Recommend 0

ozzy

Nov 25, 2016 10:45pm

Well said

Recommend 0

ANT

Nov 25, 2016 10:46pm

Yes, it's only his and his family's.

Recommend 0

Sami Shahid

Nov 25, 2016 10:51pm

Indians believe everything in this world specially in Asia belongs to India. Indians will soon term Afghanistan as a part of India. LOL

Recommend 0

urooj zaidi

Nov 25, 2016 11:01pm

Agreed. Make sense. Lets starts talk under the resolution of UN, this is the only way we can diffuse tension which could save precious lifes. Already lot of fighting going on around the world these days. Both nations have scores of destitute peoples. Those who at the helm of affairs should act sensibly. Please...........

Recommend 0

OPTIMISTIC PAKISTANI

Nov 25, 2016 11:21pm

You realized it quite early man...

Recommend 0

Global Peace

Nov 25, 2016 11:29pm

He and his son did nothing when they were in power. Now these power hungry politicians just make statement never do anything. Common man suffers as always.

Recommend 0

mohammed Aziz

Nov 25, 2016 11:47pm

Pakistan is wasting it's time and energy and should focus on it's internal problems.

Recommend 0

Reverse logic

Nov 25, 2016 11:58pm

Under Omar Abdullah's reign as CM, Police were told to fire pellet guns on protestors even as N Delhi asked to stop use of it. Not sure what Politics these guys are playing to be honest.

Recommend 0

Haider

Nov 26, 2016 12:08am

Stating the obvious

Recommend 0

Masoud

Nov 26, 2016 12:09am

At last he has come to sense. Modi should also come to sense & start talks with Pakistan. For granted Kashmiris will snatch freedom from India, they simply don't like to even think to stay with India. Better to make the transition easy.

Recommend 0

Syed Jafri

Nov 26, 2016 12:13am

He lost his last election bid in 2014 to a P.D.P candidate. He is politicking and getting ready for the next elections. He is saying things that people like to hear and once in the office, he will be a man for himself again like old times.

Recommend 0

Haider

Nov 26, 2016 12:21am

Something sensible from across the border -

Recommend 0

Aster

Nov 26, 2016 12:27am

farooq Abdullah is a Patriotic Indian Thousands of times I have heard him clearly state that for Kashmir. Catching one sentence out of context and twisting it to sound as 'music to delusional and illusion ears' is what is taking place here!!!

Recommend 0

sohail khan

Nov 26, 2016 12:40am

It's high time for Kashmiri parliamentarians to raise their voice for the plight of Kashmiri people. The only solution to Kashmir issue is through dialogue with all concerned stakeholders i.e. Pakistan, India and Kashmiri people.

Recommend 0

victim

Nov 26, 2016 12:43am

Both him and his are out of power for a long time, more than anything else its their frustration.

Recommend 0

Nov 26, 2016 12:47am

When did he became so concerned about kashmir. He and his son ruled for a decade and hasnt done anything beneficial to J&k and the people gave him a befitting reply in the election. This is cheap publicity stunt to gain peoples attention.

Recommend 0

Javed

Nov 26, 2016 12:54am

Out of power he sings a different tune. But we should listen because for now it is our tune.

Recommend 0

pakistani

Nov 26, 2016 01:19am

I like that now pakistani leaders are talking the way indian leaders do because that's the only tongue indians can understand. Bravo.

Recommend 0

bROWN aMERICAN

Nov 26, 2016 01:43am

Kashmir Diaspora in the USA has disappointed everyone. They did not launch a sustained campaign for the Freedom of Kashmir People.

Recommend 0

Kashmiri

Nov 26, 2016 02:13am

Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan and the needful will be done

Recommend 0

kiamal Pasha

Nov 26, 2016 02:40am

Finally Mr.Farooq Abdullh realised what to say. He has won the hearts of Kashmiris of both sides of LOC.

Recommend 0

OneHumanity

Nov 26, 2016 02:55am

What does peace for Kashmir exactly mean? Does it mean creation of Kashmir into an independent country? Does it mean will of the Kashmiri people of all faiths including who left Kashmir? All we know is that neither India nor Pakistan would give an inch of Kashmir. Leaders need to have political will to resolve this problem that has made two great nations so hostile to each other. Both countries need to look ahead and resolve this issue forever. They should accept LOC as international border and have Kashmiris of all faiths choose and move to the country of their choice. They should open the border for movement of people and trade and make the borders irrelevant. The world views Indians and Pakistanis as same people. Outside their countries they live, eat, pray together, and marry among each other. Instead of fighting among themselves, they need to fight poverty, illiteracy and hunger together.

Recommend 0

Ahsan

Nov 26, 2016 03:30am

It's very simple: Many people might not be aware that in the spelling of PaKistan, 'K' stands for 'Kashmir'. At the time of partition, this name was carefully chosen to include all the provinces that constitute this newly born country. So what's the problem!

Recommend 0

Seedoo

Nov 26, 2016 03:39am

Farooq Abdullah and his son speak through both sides of their mouths. They cannot be trusted. When they were in power, they were all praise for India and spewed venom against Pakistan. Now they are singing to a different tune because they are not in power any more. They have no integrity.

Recommend 0

Nov 26, 2016 03:57am

He is not a friend of India or Pakistan. He thinks Kashmir is his personal property.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 26, 2016 04:28am

Too little, too late. The coyote of Jammu and Kashmir has finally said the truth and nothing but the truth after 70 long years.

Recommend 0

Taiful

Nov 26, 2016 05:05am

Why this sudden change of tone now

Recommend 0

aga khan

Nov 26, 2016 05:05am

@Ijaz; You are right he and his son did NOT do any thing while they had all the powers and say. Cleary he is a cheap and an opportunistic politicians to garner some sympathy and getting ready for his potential come back to the power. No body will pay attention to such hate mongers except some uneducated and unemployed people full of ignorance.

Recommend 0

atul

Nov 26, 2016 07:00am

Farookh Abdullah is from ruling Elite of Kashmiris and his son Umar Abdullah is also carrying the same legacy. They are there only to enjoy power and when out of it they start remebering Kashmiris problems. They have done nothing for Kashmiri people.

Recommend 0

Lost cause

Nov 26, 2016 07:24am

Out of power these people loose their senses. Much of the trouble facing Kashmir is of their making. They had kept Kashmir as their personal property. Now out of power they are crying like fish out of water.

Recommend 0

MKMC

Nov 26, 2016 07:25am

Farooq and his son are being driven out of the valley and hence the tall talks to gather support from any and all sides. Useless talk. No one in the valley cares for people who sit in london and talk big.

Recommend 0

Coolmind

Nov 26, 2016 07:30am

He has no credibility,nobody takes him seriously

Recommend 0

Shah

Nov 26, 2016 07:38am

Farooq Abdullah has served Indian Govt. stand for last 60 yrs. against the wishes of Kashmiris. His party lost elections to Modi and now he is changing...

Recommend 0

PPP

Nov 26, 2016 08:03am

@Taiful because now he is out of Power and his son no more Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Some Politician could took 180 degree turn for the sake of power.

Recommend 0

Sony

Nov 26, 2016 08:42am

@Dv what you said is correct.Dont remember anything good he did while he was CM.Perhaps staying in opposition waned out his patience for power.

Recommend 0

Anir

Nov 26, 2016 09:11am

Farooq Abdullah and his son were Chief Minister for so many years. When they are in power they make different statements, when outside power they became hardliners. They should also present what they have done to improve the situation in Kashmir.

Recommend 0

Abdul Awaal

Nov 26, 2016 09:30am

Frustration of losing a lot money due to demonetization.

Recommend 0

vadula61@gmail.com

Nov 26, 2016 10:04am

He made a very significant comment. Altering borders is not possible, autonomy to both the Kashmirs is the only solution. Will Pakistan accept that solution , or at least ready to discuss the proposal?

Recommend 0

Ahsan

Nov 26, 2016 10:11am

How long can you win political votes in the name of Kashmir? Give Kashmiri their basic rights and they will in turn give you blessings.

Recommend 0

lootra

Nov 26, 2016 10:39am

He is sidelined and needs votes. Political leaders at their best. He was very different when he was the chief minister for so many years.

Recommend 0

Optimistic Pakistani

Nov 26, 2016 11:17am

@RHS "A little late for the House of Abdullah to be speaking up. Why now?" The answer is BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Recommend 0

Optimistic Pakistani

Nov 26, 2016 11:18am

@atul I agree with you bro 100 percent

Recommend 0

vasudevan

Nov 26, 2016 11:50am

Real patriotism is to see the truth. Neither India nor Pakistan nor China will yield even a square inch in their possession. The only solution is the holders to hold what they hold. This arrangement should also be accepted by them for permanent peace and progress

Recommend 0

Bhaskar Datta

Nov 26, 2016 03:17pm

@Ahsan Perfectly said. This is the stark reality; irrespective of what politicians on both sides would like us to believe.

Recommend 0

akram

Nov 26, 2016 04:31pm

it is the indian mentality that they think they 'own' things, unfortunately we also have the same mentality in Pakistan amongst many. It is due to a lack of education and lack of understanding of what democracy means. Religion also plays a part in deceiving people on both sides into trying to deny democracy in the name of some religious utopia which will never be achieved.

Recommend 0

asad

Nov 26, 2016 06:33pm

@atul how can a ravaged muslim community in gujrat can support someone like Modi, even human rights in india with mostly lopsided view when it comes to muslims voiced for muslim due to grave injustices, rapes, more than 2000 muslims were butchered infront of their love ones. Modi does not work secretly against muslims, his acts in Gujrat and now in kashmir are blatant and open for the world but not to bigot or the black sheep in the community who is for self destruction for the inapt justifications.

Recommend 0

Dr Riffat Jabeen

Nov 26, 2016 08:24pm

At last he woke up. Better late than never.

Recommend 0

laird of camster

Nov 28, 2016 03:50pm

USA, Russia and China are making fools of India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan should join hands with Kashmir and make a joint United State. India, Pakistan and Kashmir will become one of the worlds best state. We process Bio Jet Fuel in the UK and we can supply Bio Jet Fuel and Bio Fuel at $10 per barrel. We are ready to move our company to India and serve all three states forever with our Fuel Supply at low rate. LIVE AND LET LIVE laird-of-camster Bio Jet Fuel Process Company

Recommend 0

Branded Content

NexGen Auto (Nishat Group) to Introduce iCAUR in Pakistan

As one of Pakistan’s leading business groups, Nishat Group operates across key sectors including textiles, cement, banking, insurance, power and agriculture.

NTL and Unikrew Solutions establish additional strategic understanding for potential transformation opportunities

Collaboration brings together complementary strengths to jointly pursue high-impact opportunities in Pakistan and international markets.

Indus Cloud signs strategic partnership agreement with PTCL to deliver cloud excellence

The partnership marks a significant step in Indus Cloud’s and PTCL’s joint efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s cloud and data centre infrastructure and expand access to enterprise-grade digital services in the country.