Farooq Abdullah Slams ‘Foreign Hand’ Narrative, Challenges Centre To Name Alleged External Actors

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and ruling National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over its claim of a foreign hand behind the protests in Delhi, asserting that the Union government routinely falls back on the narrative of an external conspiracy whenever it finds itself under pressure or facing public discontent.

Speaking to reporters here, Abdullah said the government appears more inclined to blame unnamed foreign forces than to introspect and address the domestic issues that may be driving unrest. He argued that rather than examining its own policies and shortcomings, the Centre repeatedly invokes the spectre of foreign interference without presenting any concrete evidence.

In a strongly worded remark, the three-time chief minister challenged the government to substantiate its allegations and identify the country it believes is attempting to destabilise India.

“Every time the government in Delhi faces a crisis, it reaches for the convenient excuse of a ‘foreign hand’. Instead of looking within and asking what has gone wrong, it seeks to shift the blame elsewhere. If there is indeed an external force behind these developments, then the government must tell the nation who it is. Which country is involved? What evidence do they have? Simply repeating ‘foreign hand’ every time there is dissent or unrest is not an answer. The people deserve facts, not vague accusations," he said.

Abdullah said that attributing every expression of public anger or dissatisfaction to an external conspiracy diverts attention from genuine domestic grievances and undermines the need for accountability and introspection.

Responding to a separate question on the escalating crisis in the Middle East, the NC president called for an immediate end to the conflict, warning that continued hostilities would have far-reaching consequences for ordinary people across the world. He expressed concern over the growing economic fallout of the war, particularly rising inflation and the burden it places on vulnerable sections of society.

Criticising the role of US President Donald Trump, Abdullah said the world was witnessing increasing instability and destruction, adding that the global community could no longer afford a prolonged conflict. He maintained that Iran, like any sovereign nation, has the right to defend itself, while stressing that the time had come for diplomacy to prevail over military confrontation.

“The world has already suffered enough from war and uncertainty. Rising prices and economic hardships are hurting ordinary people everywhere, especially the poor. The priority now should be to stop the bloodshed and prevent further destruction. Iran has the right to protect itself, but this conflict must not be allowed to spiral further. Enough is enough. This is the time for dialogue, restraint and peace, not for more war,” Abdullah said.