New Delhi
Sajad Gani Lone, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC), shared his thoughts on the persistent ‘Azadi’ sentiments in Jammu and Kashmir during an interview with source on Tuesday. Lone acknowledged that these sentiments have not disappeared but have gone underground. He explained that the current ‘muscular’ policies may have suppressed visible expressions of this sentiment, but they still exist in subtle ways. According to Lone, the increased repression has only prolonged its existence rather than extinguishing it completely.
Lone also commented on the current state of peace in the region, suggesting it feels fragile. He noted that his perspective shifted following his defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Previously, I believed peace was permanent, he said, but now it seems more delicate.
Despite his electoral loss, Lone does not view it as a personal setback. He believes it reflects broader dissatisfaction with the central government’s policies, particularly those of the BJP. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Lone contested from Baramulla but lost to independent candidate Sheikh Abdur Rashid, who won by a substantial margin over former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Looking ahead, Lone will compete in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections from the Handwara and Kupwara constituencies. The assembly elections are scheduled for September 18, September 25, and October 1, with results expected on October 8.
