Budgam: Stating that country can’t run on the wheels of ‘hate, former Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah Monday said that peace and development lie in love, amity, dialogue and reconciliation.
Reacting to the recent killings in Rajouri, Dr Farooq Abdullah said that it is unfortunate that militancy still exists in Jammu and Kashmir and people are being killed.
He said society has got divided into the lines of religion and there is so much hate. “Who is responsible for all this mess? The victims were enemies of none. Home Ministry is bound to find a solution,” he said.
While responding to a question Farooq Abdullah without naming Pakistan said dialogue is a must. “We can’t change our boundaries but yes, we can add to our hardships. Hate will spread like wildfire and we have to find ways and means to spread love not hate. See, what’s happening in Nanital. Muslims are being evicted from their homes. Their house are being demolished. Will this country progress on the wheels of hate,” he questioned.
“After the killing of a few Kashmiri Pandits, we had written to LG Manoj Sinha to call all the leaders and convene an All Party Meeting to find a way. If they think it (militancy) will end because of their army and police, they are wrong as it won’t end,” Farooq Abdullah said.
He said the solution to this (militancy) problem is neither easy or difficult. “We have to adopt those ways leading to a solution. There is no tailor-made solution but we have to strive for a solution. They (Government) made tall claims of peace after converting Jammu and Kashmir into a union territory and abrogating Article 370. Didn’t it say that militancy is because of the presence of Article 370? Militancy is still there and showing an upward trend,” Farooq Abdullah as per news agency Kashmir News Trust said.
He said during his tenure as Chief Minister the strength of the army and paramilitary forces were not as high as it is today.
He said unity is the only way to bring peace to Jammu and Kashmir. “Whether you are in opposition or in power, you have to hold the hand of everyone and forge unity.”
Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the way things are moving and incidents take place clearly indicates that they (militants) want to create a wedge between communities. “They want hate spreads and the image of India gets dented. If you think the formation of any government will put an end to militancy then you are living in a fool’s paradise. The new government has to face the challenge of militancy. We have to talk to the sponsors of militancy,” he said.
Farooq Abdullah was talking to reporters in Choon Budgam during his visit to the house of a senior party leader. [KNT]
