Srinagar: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday accused BJP leaders of attempting to “intimidate” Hindu voters in Jammu and Kashmir by "spreading false fears".
Speaking to reporters on the 42nd death anniversary of NC founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, here, Abdullah, a former chief minister of J&K, emphasised that “Bharat belongs to everyone—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and Buddhists.”
He criticised the BJP for trying to "manipulate Hindu voters by creating fear", suggesting that the party had previously sought votes in the name of Ram and is now resorting to "intimidation".
The NC leader questioned the BJP’s claim that Article 370 was responsible for terrorism in J&K, pointing out that even after its repeal, “terrorism had not diminished and is, in fact, on the rise.”
He expressed confidence that the NC-Congress alliance would succeed in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections and vowed to restore the region’s statehood.
The statement was a response to Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments at a BJP rally in Jammu, where Shah had accused the NC and Congress of misleading the public regarding statehood, asserting that only the central government had the authority to grant it.
Abdullah criticised Shah’s remarks as an attempt to discredit his party. He asserted, “Our efforts will pave the way for serving our people better. The Home Minister can criticise us as much as he likes, but we stand against the vision of Bharat that they propose. Bharat belongs to everyone.”
The NC leader further emphasised that Muslims, like other communities, had played an equal role in India’s freedom struggle, asserting that the NC and its supporters were not intruders but integral contributors to the nation.
Published 08 September 2024, 07:33 IST