National Conference (NC) president and three time J&K chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said Kashmir is a political issue which needs a political solution.
“A political problem requires a political solution just like Kashmir requires one. But it should be done in such a way that no party (India or Pakistan) feel betrayed,” Dr Farooq told reporters on the sidelines of a function to commemorate the 19th death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan, his grandmother.
“Kashmir issue is lying in the United Nations. Both India and Pakistan are conducting bilateral talks since 1947. Anybody saying Kashmir is not an issue is mistaken,” he said.
“The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru and the PMs who followed also held talks on Kashmir. When Narendra Modi visited Pakistan, he also discussed Kashmir,” he said.
He said the policy which was used in Afghanistan to restore peace there can be applied in Jammu and Kashmir to bring back normalcy. “Centre is saying that it will first end militancy. Peace was not restored in Afghanistan before talks. Bullets are still flying there.”
“Taliban is also firing bullets but simultaneously they are holding talks. If the US can hold talks with Taliban, why can’t New Delhi do the same with Kashmir militants,” Dr Farooq said, adding the same policy should be applied to Kashmir for holding talks.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should hold talks with Pakistan to restore peace in the region and simultaneous talks should be held with stakeholders also.
“Modi should hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan and with the people and leaders of Pakistan controlled Kashmir,” Dr Farooq said
“Leaders of both the sides should meet and bring a lasting solution in which neither India nor Pakistan think they have lost. People of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh should also not feel they have been betrayed,” he added.
He said India is not the “India of 1947’’ when the country gained independence. “These people (BJP) want to change the composition of India and want this country to belong to Hindus only,” Dr Farooq said.
Earlier Dr Farooq along with other senior party members offered special prayers for Begum Akbar Jahan, wife of NC founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, on her 19th death anniversary.
The NC leaders visited the Naseem Bagh graveyard of Jahan, located near the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake and offered Fateh (special prayers).
Meanwhile, a party statement said Dr Farooq and Omar Abdullah participated in the congregational Fatiha Khawani at Qaid Mazar, Naseem Bagh.
“The congregational Fateha Khawani saw huge participation of party leaders, functionaries and workers. A Majlis of Quran Khawani was also held at the Qaid Mazar. Party delegates, functionaries from across the valley had thronged the graveyard to pay their earnest tributes to Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah on her death anniversary,” the statement said.
“She fought all the political Shenanigans with determination and resolve. It was her utmost faith in Allah that kept her going. Her enormous work for the destitute, women, and tribals will be remembered for all the times. She gave unending love to people. Her role in the socio-political emancipation of the women and children is unparalleled. On this day I may my tributes to her,” Dr Farooq said, according to the statement.
“Later while addressing people he reiterated his call for a meaningful, result oriented dialogue between India and Pakistan. He said the stakeholders in Afghanistan are nearing a solution notwithstanding the violence that the country is fraught with. “Both India and Pakistan should open the channels of dialogue with the people of state living on either side of the Line of Control. The measure should be followed by a dialogue between India and Pakistan. Such an all encompassing dialogue will enable the both countries reach a solution which is acceptable to people living in the different regions of the erstwhile state. I believe we have had enough, if both India and Pakistan have to grow then it is indispensable for them to find solutions to the issues hammering their relation. I believe the time has come when both the countries should embark on path of dialogue. Any solution if it has to be a viable one should offer a win-win situation for the two countries as well as the people living across the erstwhile state,” he said.
Expressing disappointment over the dwindling secular fabric party president said, “The country we are living in today is poles apart from what it used to be, and what it was desired to be by the founding fathers of the Constitution of India. Today we have a political dispensation at the helm of affairs at the center that is inclined to rob the country of its secular character. The fascist and communal forces are hell bent to change the secular visage of the country. Nonetheless India belongs to all its citizens, the country belongs to all. The country men have to keep it in their mind that the idea of progress is deficient if any community feels left out. India cannot grow if the growth of its minorities is stunted.”
Party president said the catch-words of ‘Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas’ didn’t see any implementation, the words were just shredded over and over again rendering them useless. “The other day the central budget had absolutely nothing for the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Today we see how our people are being intimidated on National Highway. Every now and then we see the governor administration come up with reckless diktats of all sorts. I don’t see any of the actions of the central government reflect their sincerity for the materialization of the slogan. The divisional administration is also giving misleading statements in this context. The people especially the traders, students, and patients are at the receiving end of this,” he said.
While asking the workers to rally round the party flag he said, “We are faced with a difficult situation. Our state is facing a grim situation. Our identity, integrity is facing immense threats. The need of the hours calls for forging unity. We have to shun our regional, religious prejudices for the greater good of the state. Art 370, Art 35-A are the articles of faith for us. We will continue to work for the restoration of Autonomy to the state.”
Among others Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, Abdul Rahim Rathar, Dr Sheikh Mustufa Kamal, Muhammad Shafi Uri, Nasir Aslam Wani, Mir Saifullah, Mubarak Gul, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Shahmeema Firdous, Ali Muhammad Dar, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, Arshad Kar, Riyaz Bedar, Pir Afaq, Showkat Ganai, Ishfaq Jabbar, GM Mir, Abdul Majeed Larmi, Tanvir Sadiq, Ghulam Qadir Pardesi, Salman Ali Sagar, Imran Nabi Dar, Ahsan Pardesi, Sabiya Qadri, Showkat Mir, Aga Mehmood, G R Naaz, Nazir Malik, Muhammad Yousuf Taing, Peer Mohammad Hussain, Farooq Ahmad Shah , Shabir Kullay, Sheikh Rafi, Jadish Singh Azad also paid glowing tributes to Madre Meharban.