‘Vehicles taking them back were stopped’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 9: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah said today that during his tenure as the Chief Minister they tried to take Kashmiri Pandits back but the process was sabotaged by forces from across the border. At the same time, he wanted to know how many KPs have been taken back to their homes during last 10 years.
Speaking during the discussion on the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha, Dr Abdullah said, “We tried to bring Kashmiri Pandits back home. Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India. Do not call us Pakistanis. Did you know how many of my Ministers were killed so that we could be a part of India?” Click here to watch video
He said when he was the Chief Minister and Inder Kumar Gujral was the Prime Minister, they tried to take back Kashmiri Pandits but forces from across the border killed innocent KPs at a village in Ganderbal district. Many of them died, he recalled .
“Immediately, we stopped 50 vehicles that had to bring Kashmiri Pandits back home,” Farooq said.
He said when he was the Chief Minister and sitting in the Assembly, they (the militants) came to attack the House “but I had left just five minutes before to meet the Governor”.
“They (the militants) killed 40 people. We stood because we wanted to stand by the nation. Don’t say we are not part of India,” the National Conference leader remarked.
He said the Prime Minister does not represent only “one colour” but the whole country.
He asked how many Kashmiri Pandits have gone back to Kashmir valley in the last 10 years. “None,” he quipped.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai objected to Dr Abdullah’s remark, saying it was incorrect to say that the Centre did not do anything for Kashmiri Pandits. Rai said that people are returning.
“I respect him (Dr Farooq Abdullah) but this is wrong to say that nothing has been done for Kashmiri Pandits during last nine years. People are getting employment. The statement is misleading,” Rai said.
Dr Abdullah said they stand proud to be part of this nation but the nation also has a responsibility not only towards Hindus but to everybody who lives in India.
“Don’t say we are not part of India, we are Pakistanis, traitors. We are part of this nation,” Farooq said.
In his address, Srinagar MP said “Create love, not hate. Don’t hate us, listen to us. What development is happening in Kashmir?”
He alleged the Government’s method of dealing with issues are wrong and added that “it is the love of the people that will keep us together”.
He regretted that the Government could not take the delegates of a G20 meet in Srinagar to Gulmarg and Dachigam.
“You say no terrorism is there in Kashmir but Pakistan is at play…Love is the only way forward,” Farooq said.
He asked the Narendra Modi Government to spread “love”, and not “hate”, as it is the only way forward for the development of the country.
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