SrinagarNational Conference (NC) President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said the dastardly attack on Amarnath Yatris was an attack on the soul and spirit of Kashmir and should be condemned unequivocally by every right thinking citizen of the State.
Addressing party leaders, legislators and workers at Qaid Mazaar, Naseem Bagh at a function held to commemorate the 17th Death Anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said the dastardly and heinous attack was an act of sheer cowardice perpetrated by those who can never claim to be Kashmiris or Muslims.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those who have sustained injuries in the attack.
The attack on pilgrims is the worst form of cowardice and barbarism. I appeal to every conscientious citizen and especially leadership of all shades of opinion to condemn this dastardly act strongly and unequivocally and consider observing a shutdown in the Valley in solidarity with these victims and as a mark of unanimous and unambiguous protest against the perpetrators of this crime. Islam teaches us to protect and safeguard the lives of our guests and teaches us to respect all religions and the right of devotees to practice their respective religions without any fear or insecurity. The attack in Anantnag is an assault on our religion and our identity as Kashmiris, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said.
The NC leader said communal forces in the country were hell-bent to divide the people on the basis of religion and race and such tragic, condemnable incidents are being used to further a divisive and polarizing agenda that is aimed to weaken the very Idea of India. We should call a spade a spade and oppose all such elements who are against humanity, liberty and secular values. Anyone who tries to justify the killing of innocents, anywhere, is a threat to humanity and should be exposed and opposed tooth and nail, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said.