Engineer Rashid is agent
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 13: National Conference (NC) President and former Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today referred to Engineer Abdul Rashid as an “agent,” asserting that the NC cannot be sidelined, even if everyone is released from jail.
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Speaking to reporters in Keller in district Shopian, after addressing a public rally ahead of the Assembly elections, Abdullah said he is not afraid of anyone and places his trust solely in the people.
“He (Engineer Rashid) is their agent. Even if they release everyone, they still cannot sideline the NC. We have made sacrifices; and I trust the people, ” he said.
The NC President added; “These are the same people who once called for plebiscite and Azadi. They used to dance to Pakistan’s tunes. Now, what has changed that they have become so close to India, with the Government releasing them to fight elections on their behalf?”
On the issue of Article 370, following the Home Minister’s statement that its restoration would not be allowed, Abdullah said it took the BJP years to revoke it and that its restoration would also take time.
“We will take time to restore it, but we will make sure it happens. We have never supported violence; we only want what has been taken from us,” he emphasized.
Earlier, while addressing the public, the NC Chief criticized those showing the “flower” symbol, implying that they aim to “sell our mothers and sisters.”
“You are the owners of this land, and you make the decisions. They want to sell our mothers and sisters. Didn’t you hear what the Prime Minister said? He claimed that Muslims have more children and are intruders. I have never heard such words before. Prime Ministers used to talk about unity, not division,” he added.
Delving into history, the former Chief Minister explained that the NC originated from the Muslim Conference after it became clear that people of all religions were suffering in J&K.
“Muslims are not here to take anyone’s rights; they just want what is rightfully theirs. These forces want to make people fight each other, dividing communities so they can win elections through division,” he stated.
Abdullah further expressed that he does not stand with the idea of an India that believes in division, emphasizing that when India gained independence from British rule, the vision was for a pluralistic society.
“We are not against India, but we reject an India that practices communal politics. This was never the vision of India. During the freedom struggle, we were all united,” he added.
Attacking the BJP, Abdullah claimed that the Sangh (RSS) distanced itself from the freedom struggle and sided with the British.
“They were the only ones who didn’t participate in the freedom movement. They told the British rulers they were with them and distanced themselves from those fighting for freedom,” he said.
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