Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti today criticised the National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, saying his remarks had come nearly a week after the strikes, by which time thousands had already died, including Iran’s Supreme Leader.
In a post on X, Mufti said Iran had historically supported India on several foreign policy matters, including Kashmir, and claimed that the Centre’s present approach marked a shift from India’s traditional stance.
Targeting the NC-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, she also questioned what she described as the silence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other leaders on the issue.
Mufti asked why the government had not passed a clear resolution condemning the attack if it genuinely stood with the people. She said the matter should have been addressed officially by the government rather than through a party statement.
“At a time like this, the Chief Minister of India’s only Muslim-majority region had the opportunity to show moral clarity and express solidarity with the people of Iran,” she said, adding that silence in the face of such events raises serious questions.
She wrote on X; “National conference President Farooq Abdulla Sahab has finally asked the Government of India to clarify its position on the US–Israel attack on Iran, but this comes a full week after the strikes, after thousands have already died and after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Across Kashmir and many Muslim countries, people have protested to condemn this aggression.
“Iran, for decades, has consistently supported India on key foreign policy issues, including on Kashmir. The Centre’s current position clearly marks a departure from India’s traditional stance”.
“What is even more troubling is the silence of J&K’s own government. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah himself have avoided a clear and strong condemnation. Instead of calling out Israel’s attack, the National Conference statement simply described the Iran strike as a “recent development.”
“If the NC government truly stands with the people, why not pass a clear and official resolution through the cabinet? Why shift the discussion to the Nawa-i-Sub party office for a vague statement when the government itself has the authority to speak with clarity and conviction?”, she wrote
“At moments like these, As the Chief Minister of India’s only Muslim-majority region, Omar Abdullah had an opportunity to show moral clarity, to stand in solidarity with the people and victims in Iran and send a message from Jammu & Kashmir that injustice and aggression cannot be ignored. Silence in the face of such tragedy only raises deeper questions”, she added.