Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 15: Dismissing the demand by separatists to curtail the duration of Amarnath Yatra, National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the pilgrimage should continue for a period of two months as it was not only religiously important but also served as a source of livelihood for many.
“The pilgrimage must take place for two months. Not only will people be able to have proper darshan but there are many poor people in the State whose livelihoods depend on the yatra,” he told reporters here.
“I think any restriction on the Yatra is not what I would want, it must go freely for two months,” he said.
The annual yatra is scheduled to commence on July 2 and will continue till August 29 i.e. for a period of 59 days.
At a rally in Tral on May 1, Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had demanded that the Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir Himalayas should be restricted to 30 days for “safety” of pilgrims and protection of environment.
On the issue of Kashmiri Pandits’ return to the Valley, Abdullah said that any decision taken must not create tension in the minds of the people.
“Whatever has to be done, the Pandits, Muslims, Sikhs who live in Kashmir will have to sit together and arrive at conducive way of doing it in the manner that would not create any more tension,” he said.
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China, Abdullah said, “China has its own policy…We are trying to develop better relations and now it is up to China.”
On being asked if Modi’s visit to China would be fruitful, he reiterated that it depends on China.
“Whether it (Modi’s visit) will achieve something or not… The success is up to God and Chinese,” he said.
Abdullah said he hoped Modi will raise the issue of stapled visa with Chinese authorities. “PM should tell them to please give us a normal visa,” he said.
He was referring to stapled visas issued by China for residents of J&K and Arunachal Pradesh.
Abdullah had come here to meet ailing BJP leader Chaman Lal Gupta. This was his first visit to Jammu after an organ transplant surgery in London last year.
Meanwhile, Dr Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir cannot afford divisive politics as it can endanger the social fabric of the state, causing disenchantment among people.
“The nation and the State cannot afford division between communities as they can prosper only when people of all faiths and regions get fair deal and equal treatment in all spheres,” the former Union Minister said while interacting with NC functionaries at party office here.
Abdullah said he hoped that “myopic tendencies” of dividing society on the basis of caste, creed, region or religion will fall frail before the strength of peoples’ commitment to amity and brotherhood.
“National Conference is a movement which has taken everyone along and never differentiated between the people on the basis of region or religion and therefore, it is incumbent upon its entire cadre to rise above politics and work for the overall betterment of the State,” he said.
“The biggest legacy of NC has been unity and amity, which has to be maintained and preserved at all costs,” he added.
He exhorted workers to feel the pulse of people and register their protest regarding various issues at appropriate forums so that timely redressal is sought.
Exuding confidence that National Conference will bounce back with rejuvenated vigor, Abdullah spelled out a big role for the cadre in making the party more vibrant and responsive to people’s needs.
“Blend of old and young will enable National Conference to bounce back in a big way and recalled how the party had surmounted challenges during most testing times in the past.
“Winning or losing is part of Parliamentary democracy and therefore, the cadre should take setback in the Assembly elections to their stride and work for steering the party to massive victory in years to come,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Abdullah made his first public appearance in his ‘trademark style’ post last year’s organ transplant, when he visited the famous Ragunath market here where shopkeepers came out of their establishments and passersby jostled to have a close look.
Attired in black ‘Bandgala suit’, Abdullah surprised shopkeepers, media and passersby by his impromptu appearance at market in the heart of Jammu city, where famous Ragunath temple is located.
Senior Abdullah was at his usual best when he walked through the famous bazaar.
The moment he made an impromptu appearance in the famous market, several shopkeepers alighted from their shops and the passersby jostled to have his close look.
Abdullah waved at the people assembled on the pavements, exchanged pleasantries with his acquaintances and wished the pilgrims a blissful journey.
He even sat for a while at the business establishments of some known acquaintances.
Accompanied by NC’s provincial president Devender Singh Rana, the former Chief Minister did not forget to treat those who met him with sweets.
He offered the sweets to the people at the entry point of the famous heritage market.
Visiting this market, without prior announcement, had been his famous pastime of yesteryears when he occasionally used give a miss to his hectic schedule as a Chief Minister and visit this place.
“I am fine”, he quipped with a smile when a passerby asked about his health.
He promptly thanked him for his concern. It was Abdullah’s maiden visit to the city after undergoing treatment and convalescing in London for several months.
He posed for pictures with the people assembled there. Mobile cameras kept clicking each of his movement in the Bazaar.
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