Srinagar, January 21, 2026 : Peoples Conference President and MLA from Handwara Sajad Lone on Wednesday supported the BJP’s demand for carving out Jammu as a separate state, saying he prays for such a development and describing it as “true liberation” for Kashmir.
In a statement reacting to remarks by some BJP leaders, including former minister Sham Lal Sharma, Lone said the call for a separate Jammu state presents a “rare and golden moment” for Kashmiris.
“I pray to God that separation becomes possible. It would be true liberation. But beware, big crocodiles will invent new stories tomorrow. Still, despite everything, we hope this comes to pass,” Lone said.
He cautioned Kashmiris against what he termed as “hollow slogans” and challenged National Conference President Farooq Abdullah’s insistence on preserving the unity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Questioning the idea of a unified region, Lone asked who bears the burden of this “so-called unity,” asserting that Kashmir’s unemployed youth are paying the price every day.
“India has a population of 1.5 billion. We Kashmiris are barely six or seven million. Are we not speaking far beyond our weight? Did we ever sign a contract to safeguard secularism?” he asked.
Lone alleged that while Kashmiri political leaders often claim the moral high ground of secularism, Kashmiri students and traders, including shawl sellers, continue to face harassment, humiliation and attacks in different parts of the country.
“The routine assault on Kashmiri students and shawl sellers in mainland India exposes the hypocrisy behind lofty claims of secular unity used to justify keeping Kashmir and Jammu together,” he said, adding that Kashmiris never consented to bear what he called a “disproportionate burden.”
Despite his sharp political disagreement, Lone said he holds Farooq Abdullah in high personal regard.
“Farooq Sahib is our elder and very dear to me, but politically, I am in complete opposition to him,” he said.
Raising concerns over reservation policies, Lone alleged that job opportunities are being systematically diverted from Kashmir to Jammu, asking who would absorb the resulting losses for Kashmiri youth.
He also flagged regional economic imbalance, claiming that Jammu’s economy survives largely on Kashmir and Kashmiri labour, yet most major development projects are being directed towards Jammu at the Valley’s expense.
However, Lone stressed that any separation should not result in hostility between the two regions.
“Are people of Maharashtra, Delhi or Gujarat not our brothers? They come here and are welcome. In the same spirit, people of Jammu will remain our brothers even after separation. God willing, brotherhood will continue,” he said.
