Farooq Abdullah says ‘can’t even kiss my wife’ because of Covid

The audience at a book-release function here on Sunday burst into laughter when National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said he had not kissed his wife since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The octogenarian leader, who was candid and witty in his 35-minute speech, said one is even afraid of a handshake or a hug in the current situation.

“I can’t even kiss my wife. Who knows (what will happen). There is no question of a hug, though the heart wants it. I am sincere in my words,” he said, leaving the audience in splits.

A short video clip of his remarks has gone viral on social media.

Abdullah, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said that when his daughter sees photos of him not wearing a mask, she takes him to task on his return home.

People today are afraid of handshakes and hugging each other as thousands are still dying on a daily basis in various parts of the world, Abdullah said.