NC leader wants Pandits to return in his lifetime
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Feb 28: Maintaining that Congress is 150 year old party, National Conference (NC) president and former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah today said he wanted the Congress to remain united and strong to fight “divisive forces” in the country.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a Shivratri Milan organised by a group of Kashmiri Pandits here today, NC president said that every body wants the Statehood should be restored to J&K but when it will be restored either they (Central Government) or God knows.
Dr Abdullah, while warning selective killings by terrorists, however, said it would continue unless the root cause of militancy is addressed.
He said “It (Kashmir) is a patient and it is they and not Farooq who have to see its treatment”.
Abdullah’s remarks came a day after senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and other ‘Group of 23’ dissident leaders, who have been pressing for a leadership change and organisational overhaul in the party, got together at a function here in an apparent show of strength to convey a message to the party high command.
“I want the Congress to be strong. I want the Congress to unite and fight divisive forces in the country… People are looking forward to the Congress sorting things out in the country. It is a part of this nation and has been a 150-year-old party,” Abdullah said.
Replying to a question on Congress leaders assembling in Jammu on Saturday, Dr Abdullah said, “He (Azad) is a part of the Congress and so are all those who came. They are not out of the party, they are senior leaders of the Congress.”
Asked about his reaction to an alleged statement made by Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi wherein he said democracy is dead in the country, the NC leader asserted, “Why should I react to what he (Gandhi) or these leaders (Azad and others) are saying… What I have to do with them. My party is the National Conference.”
“It is for them (Congress leaders) to decide, the problem is in their house and they have to set it right,” he added.
Asked about the killing of Akash Mehra, the son of the owner of a popular eatery, who was shot by terrorists in Srinagar, Dr Abdullah termed the incident as “very tragic”.
“Those who shout from the top of the mountain that everything is hunky-dory here and bring the ambassadors to show them how good it is, should answer… it should be the Lt Governor who should answer. If militancy is dead, the DGP should answer who says everyday that it (terrorism) is all over,” he said.
Asked about the selective killings in the Valley, he said, “They (terrorists) will continue to do this. It is not going to end just because you and I say that it should end. They (Government) have to find out what is the cause of these things and why it is happening and try and treat the cause?.”
In response to another question about Azad praising Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for openly speaking about his past as a tea-seller, he said, “I don’t have to react to what Azad sahib says. He is a senior leader of Congress and made the statement and why should I react to it.”
Earlier, while addressing the function, senior NC leader said Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and expressed his desire to see the community back at their place of birth in his lifetime.
“It is my earnest desire to see the Kashmiri Pandits back in their homes and hearths in Valley”, he said while opposing the idea of one place settlement of the community.
“My Government in 1996 had made a plan for their return and rehabilitation in Valley as I was keen for the same from very beginning”, he added.
Dr Abdullah who became nostalgic of his relations with Pandits, said “My most friends were Kashmiri Pandits as well as my teacher was also a Pandit”.
He cursed Pakistan for pushing terrorists in Kashmir and inflicting all trouble on the peace loving people. “Pakistan which claims to be an Islamic country has brought all this death and destruction in the Valley for last over 30 years” he added.
Dr Abdullah, while expressing concern over the deteriorating situation of religious places of Pandits in Kashmir, stressed on preserving these religious and heritage centres. “My Government after coming to power in1996 tried to bring the Shrines and Temples Bill for their protection which was opposed by certain forces but it is not appropriate to name them at this time”, he added.
He said if the religious places of Pandits are preserved after some time a University on the pattern of Mata Vaishno Devi University or Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University can also be established.
He regretted that nowadays people have become followers of religions only for name and there is hardly any who follows his religion in perfect sense and spirit.
NC provincial president, Jammu, Devender Rana, provincial president Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani and NC Minority Cell president, M K Yogi were also present.
Among the Kashmir Pandit leaders who spoke on the occasion were K P Sabha president, K K Khosa, Vishaw Kashmiri Samaj chairman, Kiran Wattal, senior journalist, M K Bangroo, Pran Pandita (retd SSP), senior NC leader, Anil Dhar and Virender Takoo. Prof P N Trisal spoke on Maha Shivratri while Bihari Kak recited Vakhs of Lal Ded highlighting the beauty of ancient Kashmiri culture. The stage was managed by P K Raina.
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