SRINAGAR, Dec 2: Farooq Abdullah, President of the National Conference, emphasized on Monday that the central government must halt actions that could incite communal unrest in the country, advocating for equal treatment of Muslims.
“We must prevent incidents like Sambhal from happening again. I urge the Government of India to desist from such actions, as it is impossible to displace the Muslims of India. Where would they send 24 crore Muslims? Equality for Muslims is a fundamental principle of our Constitution. If they manipulate the Constitution, how can India endure?” Abdullah stated during a press briefing.
The NC leader, who recently undertook Umrah (a minor pilgrimage) with his son, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and several associates, reiterated that there is no opposition to the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.
“Who is preventing Kashmiri Pandits from coming back? Every political party advocates for their return. The decision lies with them regarding when they wish to return. Our doors are always open; even during my tenure as chief minister, we attempted to facilitate their return despite adverse conditions,” he remarked.
Regarding requests to reevaluate the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah asserted that the issue should be addressed by the government.
“We will advise the government to review it. Reservations are intended for underprivileged communities to help them achieve equality,” he explained.
The NC government has established a Cabinet sub-committee to evaluate demands for adjusting the reservation system, which has escalated to 70 percent in the Union Territory.
In response to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s recent termination of two government employees due to alleged ties to terrorism, Abdullah mentioned that the government “will monitor the situation and investigate the reasons behind the termination of the two employees.”
The seasoned politician also welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, while condemning ongoing attacks in Gaza, Syria, and Iran.
“The ceasefire is a positive development, but it’s crucial to halt the coordinated attacks by Israel and the United States in Gaza, Syria, and Iran, which are still ongoing. This poses a serious threat, and an immediate ceasefire is imperative.
“You may have observed the discussions in the (UN) Security Council. If the Council exists for a reason, it should act on the directives issued to Israel. A ceasefire must be enforced, and humanitarian aid should be allowed,” Abdullah conveyed.
Reflecting on his recent pilgrimage, Abdullah shared that he prayed not only for Kashmir but for the Muslim world at large.
“I prayed for our challenges to be alleviated and for guidance towards the right path. I asked for protection from evil and for an end to the religious hatred proliferating in our country. I prayed for unity and harmony,” he concluded. (Agencies)
