J&K had acceded to Gandhi’s India, not Godse’s: Farooq
Item
Title
J&K had acceded to Gandhi’s India, not Godse’s: Farooq
Description
JAMMU: Asserting that the people of Jammu & Kashmir had acceded to Mahatma Gandhi’s India and not that of Nathuram Godse, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said that hate and communal politics were not in the interest of the nation and BJP should better realise it. Expressing optimism about restoration of special status under Article 370 to Jammu and Kashmir, he said people in J&K were resolute enough and steadfast in their resolve to stand for their rights. “We will fight for our rights peacefully as we don’t believe in violence,” he said while addressing a day-long convention of the NC in Jammu. Referring to the repeal of three farm laws in the face of stiff resistance by farmers, he said the government was forced to announce rollback fearing a poll debacle in five states. “The farm laws were passed in a huff, notwithstanding the demand for debate and discussion by the opposition parties ahead of their passage,” he said while claiming that just like the farm laws, the government would have to bow down before the strong will of the people of J&K. Decrying the August 2019 political developments, he described revocation of special status to J&K as snatching away the rights of the people of J&K. Abdullah also questioned the type of democracy being practised by the BJP and referred to the expulsion of 12 members from Rajya Sabha. He said the decision was prompted by the government’s intention of seeking passage of bills as the numbers do not favour the government. The NC chief also expressed concern over the state of affairs in J&K, saying bureaucrats have become authority unto themselves. He said the halting of Durbar Move hugely impacted Jammu businesses. He questioned the claims of normalcy and revival of tourism across J&K. He also dwelt upon the problems being faced by the farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the wake of recent hailstorm and damages caused to the standing crops.
Publisher
The Times of India
Date
2021-12-08
Coverage
India