Have been called Pakistani, Khalistani, even American agent: Farooq Abdullah slams attempts to tarnish image

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah said he has been repeatedly labelled by his critics in an attempt to question his loyalty—but the people have always seen through the smear.

“I have been labelled a Pakistani, a Khalistani, an American agent—but thank God I haven’t been labelled a Russian agent yet,” Abdullah said while addressing party workers in Srinagar. “Our people didn’t believe these accusations. The way the National Conference has been fighting for the people, it will continue to do so.”

His comments come amid a political churn in the region and renewed national attention following controversial claims made by former RAW chief A.S. Dulat in his book. While Dr. Abdullah did not directly name Dulat, the timing of his remarks was seen as a veiled response to allegations questioning his political decisions during key moments in J&K’s history.

Abdullah reaffirmed that the NC’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of Jammu and Kashmir’s people remains unchanged.

“They’ve tried everything to discredit us. But we draw our strength from the people—and we will continue to speak for them, no matter what label they try to put on us,” he said.