On March 11, Farooq Abdullah survived an attempt on his life when Kamal Singh Jamwal, a resident of Jammu, allegedly approached him from behind, drew a pistol, and fired a shot as Abdullah was leaving an event. Leaders across the political spectrum condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation. While such condemnation and demands for accountability are necessary, the incident should not be viewed as an isolated act. Rather, it must be understood within the broader context of longstanding political hostility and politics of hate which has engulfed the country.In contemporary India, where politics is increasingly shaped by identity and polarisation, the legacy of the Abdullah family and the leadership of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference remain significant for the preservation of secularism in Jammu and Kashmir and the broader idea of India. In the ongoing contest between inclusive politics and the politics of hate and division, the Abdullah-led National Conference has historically represented a countervailing force against religious fundamentalism in Jammu and Kashmir.Politics is deeply intertwined with questions of identity, history, and belonging. Across the globe and in particular to our country, right-wing political formations have successfully mobilised religious sentiment as a means of consolidating electoral success. The political preferences of people in Jammu and Kashmir-have remained distinct. Instead of aligning with right-wing formations, the larger population has placed their trust in Abdullahs-led National Conference. Jammu and Kashmir provides one of the clearest illustrations of how legacy-based politics can reshape political discourse and social relations.Also read: ‘Jobless, Student of Whatsapp University’: Jammu Man Who Tried to Kill Farooq AbdullahFollowing the Partition of 1947, the political-social-economical relations of Jammu and Kashmir underwent significant transformation. In this backdrop, sections of the landed class who essentially feared the land reforms started questioning relations with union and began to mobilise religious identities as a political tool. This mobilisation manifested differently: in Jammu, communal mobilisation often took shape in the name of Dogra or Hindu identity, while in Kashmir it emerged through appeals to Kashmiri or Muslim identity. In contrast, the National Conference under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah championed a secular vision and implemented the “land to the tiller” reforms that aimed to dismantle landlordism. Despite these reforms being rooted in social justice, this landed sections sought to portray them through communal lenses. In Kashmir, land reforms and secular politics were framed by certain groups as anti-Islamic, while in Jammu the same reforms were portrayed as pro-Muslim and therefore communal. Such narratives gradually deepened political divisions and contributed to the institutionalisation of organised religious fundamentalism in Jammu and Kashmir.Compounding this dynamic was the complex role played by a section in New Delhi. At various points, the Union government supported political/religious players who sought to weaken the influence of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah’s politics. These interventions contributed to the emergence of forces whose interests often diverged from the upward mobility of the larger population and pluralist ethos of Jammu and Kashmir.The secular and pro-people politics that emerged under Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was rooted in his mass appeal among common people of Jammu and Kashmir, most of whom had historically suffered due to landlordism under Maharaja Hari Singh and a landed section protected by Maharaja. Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah became a symbol of social-economic transformation and political dignity for the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir. His leadership emphasised unity across Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities and rejected communal politics.The rise of Farooq Abdullah must therefore be understood not merely as an instance of dynastic succession but as a continuation of this legacy. For large population in Jammu and Kashmir, supporting Farooq Abdullah represented an affirmation of Sheikh Abdullah’s vision of pluralism and coexistence. Despite opposition, large sections of the population in Jammu and Kashmir have continued to support the Abdullah-led National Conference. Their support is not only for a political party but also for the secular legacy associated with the Abdullah name.Recent attack on Farooq Abdullah must be understood within this broader historical and political context. Such incidents are not isolated events; they are part of a longer pattern in which fundamentalist forces have sought to undermine the significance of the Abdullah legacy by mobilising religious identities and trying to reshape historical narratives.While dynastic politics is frequently criticised and often rightly so, the case of the Abdullahs presents a more complex reality. In the context of Jammu and Kashmir, their legacy has functioned as a counterweight to religious fundamentalism and the centralisation.Religious fundamentalism offers people a sense of belonging rooted in communal identity. The Abdullah legacy, by contrast, offers a different form of belonging, one grounded in historical memory, social justice, and the pluralist ideals. It connects contemporary political struggles with a past that emphasised coexistence, tolerance, and collective dignity.This is not to romanticise the Abdullahs-led National conference or to suggest that it is beyond criticism. Like all political institutions, it has had its shortcomings. However, in a political climate increasingly dominated by majoritarian and right-wing populism, the Abdullah-led political formation continues to represent an important alternative.Understanding such incidents requires more than condemnation. Those who believe in secular democracy and the broader idea of India must also recognise and engage with the historical significance of the Abdullah legacy and its role in sustaining pluralism in Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country.Irfan Gull is a provincial executive member of the Youth National Conference.