SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and member Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that India is for all irrespective of their religion, race, or region.
Farooq was addressing an event organised by the Forum For Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir, at the Constitution Club, New Delhi under the theme “Five years without elected administration & human rights situation in J&K”.
Farooq said Jammu and Kashmir occupies a unique position as it is the only Muslim-majority state in the country. “Despite being a Muslim majority state, we choose India as we were persuaded by Mahatma Gandhi’s message of tolerance and unity. Whatever is currently happening in the country is therefore a matter of great concern as it goes completely against the ideologies of the founding fathers of this nation.”
The event was moderated by Gopal Krishna Pillai and Prof Radha Kumar (former Interlocutor). Number of distinguished speakers from politics, economics, social service and civil services participated in the discussion.
Criticising the government on its narrative regarding G20 summit in Srinagar, he said, “Holding G20 event in Kashmir will not benefit tourism in the Valley till Pakistan is not roped in for talks. Infiltration across the border will continue and all those who stand for nation will die. There is no substitute to talks with Pakistan. Some people might not like what I’m saying but that’s the reality.”
He further added, “The roads which were in bad shape for many years were repaired. The walls got a fresh coat of paint. The street lights started working. The question is whether we will benefit in terms of tourism arrivals from Western countries? That cannot happen till the situation improves and that will not happen till both India and Pakistan sit on a table and resolve all the pending issues amicably,” he said.
The government wasn’t able to take the visiting dignitaries to Dachigam, which is just 17 KM’s away from Srinagar or to Gulmarg. The pomp and show was only confined to one designated route.”
Reports appearing in media suggest that Abdullah attributed Jammu and Kashmir’s decision to stay with India to Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of a united country that accommodates people from all backgrounds, irrespective of language and culture. He expressed concerns about the rising communal division in the country.
Abdullah insisted that Kashmir never sought independence and has always been a part of India since independence. However, he criticised the central government’s handling of the region, stating that turmoil has persisted over the years. He pointed out that similar issues existed during Jawaharlal Nehru’s time and persist today.
Calling for dialogue with Pakistan, he highlighted the need to address infiltration and its impact on the nation’s citizens, particularly the Muslim community. He criticised attempts to define people’s nationality based on regional affiliations, arguing that such decisions should not be imposed on individuals.
Other opposition leaders present at the event supported the demand for holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir and expressed concerns about the trust deficit between the central government and leaders from the region. Sitaram Yechury of CPM criticised the erosion of equality in Jammu and Kashmir and referenced issues in Manipur. He questioned the delay in holding elections despite the completion of the delimitation process.
Former MLA MY Tarigami criticised the central government for not conducting assembly elections even after completing the delimitation exercise. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current rule in the region.
The event also saw participation from Ladakh politician Sajjad Hussain Kargili, who highlighted the ongoing protests in Ladakh following the abrogation of Article 370, which turned Ladakh into a Union Territory without a legislature. He questioned the constitutionality of removing statehood from a region.
Congress’s Shashi Tharoor supported the demand for holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir and expressed concern about the humanitarian aspects of search and cordon operations, urging for a more compassionate approach. He also raised alarm over the increasing number of security personnel deaths.
During the event, a report was released, focusing on the five-year period when Jammu and Kashmir did not have an elected administration and the human rights situation in the region. The report was prepared by a forum comprising former Union home secretary GK Pillai, Radha Kumar (one of the former interlocutors in Jammu and Kashmir), retired Supreme Court judges, Chief Justices of High Courts, and retired bureaucrats.
