Baramulla, Oct 24: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday called on people in Jammu and Kashmir to unite to protect their rights, saying divisions among them had weakened their ability to challenge injustice.
Addressing party workers at Dak Bungalow in Baramulla, the former chief minister as per Kashmir Convener said people should not consider themselves free if they could not raise their voice against injustice.
“Don’t think that you are free. You have become a slave,” Dr Abdullah said, urging people to rise above their differences and work collectively to secure their political and social aspirations.
“Until you are one, it will not happen,” he said, arguing that unity was essential for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to pursue their demands.
Dr Abdullah also questioned the freedom of the media, alleging that sections of the press were under pressure and calling on journalists to speak openly about issues affecting the public.
Referring to the demolition of mosques, houses and shops belonging to Muslims in some states, Abdullah criticised the BJP and questioned the support extended to the party by sections of the population in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also called for greater awareness among younger generations about the region’s history, including the circumstances surrounding Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India and the sacrifices made by people during the period.
Recalling the region’s political history, Dr Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir had a Muslim-majority population but had not acceded to Pakistan. He referred to Maqbool Sherwani and other historical figures, urging parents to familiarise their children with the events that had shaped Kashmir.
“We have repeatedly said that we have made peace with Gandhi’s India. We have made peace with Nehru’s India,” he said, expressing concern over what he described as growing tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
On Article 370, which was abrogated by the Centre in August 2019, Dr Farooq Abdullah said the National Conference would continue to seek its restoration.
“We will fight for it. One day we will get it back,” he said, reiterating that unity and brotherhood were necessary to pursue the demand.
The NC president also said he was not seeking political power for its own sake, but wanted the people of Jammu and Kashmir to secure their rights and have their problems addressed.
“I don’t want to take anyone’s rights. I don’t want to be the Prime Minister. I don’t want to be the President,” he said.
Dr Farooq Abdullah raised concerns over electricity availability in Jammu and Kashmir despite power generation in the region and referred to challenges facing healthcare institutions. He called for greater accountability in the functioning of the administration.
Saying he was 90 years old, Abdullah urged people to raise their voice for their rights peacefully and honestly. He stressed that the region’s future depended on unity across religious communities.
“We are not enemies of the country. We will progress with the country,” he said, calling on those in power to address public concerns.
Invoking the idea of Kashmiriyat, Dr Abdullah described it as the shared identity of Jammu and Kashmir, rooted in the coexistence of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.
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