Janta Dal (United) defends Farooq Abdullah, says can't doubt his ''nationalism''

New Delhi: The JD (U) on Saturday defended Farooq Abdullah`s controversial remark that the youth joining militant ranks are `sacrificing their lives for freedom of the valley`, saying that the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir knew the happenings of the state much better than anyone else and there was no reason to doubt his nationalism.

"Farooq Abdullah knows Jammu and Kashmir well and his intention was that the youth in Kashmir are not part of conventional politics, they are alienated from it and are misguided in seeking Azadi which is wrong," JD (U) leader Pavan Varma told ANI here.

He further noted that the youth in the Valley need to be brought back into the national mainstream through a process of reaching out, which goes beyond merely the use of force.

Calling on both the state and central government to step up their efforts in helping the troubled youth in the state, Varma added that there was nothing wrong with Abdullah`s intentions.

However, taking a jibe at Abdullah, Union Minster M Venkaiah Naidu said that after losing power in the state, Abdullah had changed his `tone and tune`.

Earlier, Farooq Abdullah while addressing workers at the Nawa-e-Subh party headquarters in Srinagar said," Today, when our boys are reading sacrifices, they are not aspiring to become MLAs, MPs or ministers. They are giving sacrifices to demand their right. This is our land and we are its rightful owners.

"His statement came days after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned stone pelters not to interfere with army operations in Kashmir.