ED questioning of Farooq ill-advised

The questioning of National Conference leader and former J&K chief minister Farooq Abdullah by the Enforcement Directorate in Chandigarh on Wednesday on the charge of money-laundering and embezzlement of cricket board funds is an ill-advised move.

The political climate in the Kashmir Valley is fraught, to say the least, and the public harassment of an important leader is liable to increase the distance between New Delhi and Srinagar. At a sensitive juncture when Pakistan has been given a big leeway by US President Donald Trump, causing domestic uncertainties and doubts on the political front in Kashmir can potentially destabilise the situation.

The case against Dr Abdullah, first instituted by the CBI, is not a new one, as PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, whose party vies against the NC for power in J&K, has reminded us in criticising the ED's questioning of the NC president. Allegations of corruption must be investigated with dispatch, but doubts arise when the questioning of top political opponents occurs before an important political episode such as a major election, which is deemed likely in Kashmir.

There is a widespread perception in the country that the Centre is misusing its investigating agencies such as the ED, CBI and income-tax department to undermine Opposition politicians, harass them in order to deter them from protesting against the government's wrongdoings, and hound them in every way with a view to manipulate them and control their actions. In contrast, the impression is that ruling party leaders are not touched, not only in corruption cases but even when they ought to be brought to book for other acts of malfeasance. Through its various moves, like the bad-mouthing of senior Valley political figures by governor Satya Pal Malik (who, as per his constitutional mandate, ought to be steering clear of overt politics), the Centre regrettably gives the impression of being at odds with the entire political spectrum in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Central agencies had first moved against separatist leaders of the Hurriyat Conference. And now has come the turn of a stalwart mainstream political figure. If this is meant to intimidate when elections are thought to be near, there is also another sense spreading in the Valley. The investigation of Dr Abdullah is being viewed by many as an attempt to delegitimise not just him but the NC, which is a party with which not just the defence of Kashmir but the defence of India against pro-Pakistan elements is linked.

If reminders are needed, it should be recalled that in the mayhem of Partition it is due to the National Conference and the stellar role played by its founder Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, Dr Abdullah's illustrious father, in mobilising the public in India's favour that Kashmir could be saved. If the NC and its leaders are proceeded against, India's backers in the Valley may fall silent.