Jammu- National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah has said the issues related to Kashmiri Pandit migrants are not merely a matter of statistics but a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention and meaningful solutions.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exploiting the Kashmiri migrants’ sufferings for political gains, without genuinely addressing their grievances or ensuring their rightful return and resettlement in their homeland.
“The Kashmiri migrants issue is not merely a matter of statistics or political rhetoric, but a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention and meaningful solutions,” Abdullah said while interacting with a delegation of Kashmiri migrants here on Friday.
The delegation of migrants was headed by former NC MLC and the chairman of the party’s minority cell, Bhushan Lal Bhat, who apprised Abdullah of the hardships being faced by the community, according to a release issued by the party.
Bhat said most of the Kashmiri migrants residing in the Jagti, Purkhoo, Muthi, Buta Nagar and Nagrota camps here as well as those settled in Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur districts are facing problems in the absence of basic amenities for them.
Abdullah criticised the BJP’s “divisive rhetoric and discriminatory policies”, claiming that the ruling party has only “exacerbated tensions and alienated communities” in the region.
He called for a more inclusive and compassionate approach for resolving the Kashmiri migrants’ plight, one that prioritises human dignity, justice and reconciliation.
The member of Parliament from Srinagar urged the Kashmiri migrants to ensure maximum participation in the upcoming phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the Union Territory, emphasising the importance of their collective voice in shaping the country’s political landscape.
“There is a dire need to change the government at the Centre so that the problems of the public as well as Kashmiri migrants can be effectively addressed,” he said.
Additional general secretary of the NC and former Jammu and Kashmir minister Ajay Sadhotra asked the BJP-led Centre to reveal what steps have been taken by it for the welfare of the migrant community.
“It is really unfortunate that despite the increased cost of living amid skyrocketing prices and peak inflation, the cash assistance being paid to the Kashmiri migrants has not been enhanced for the last so many years,” he said.
Sadhotra said the NC will remain steadfast in its dedication to advocating for justice, dignity and equality for all Kashmiri migrants, and continue to work tirelessly towards the realisation of these principles.
In his address, NC’s provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta asserted that the party has always stood for the cause of Kashmiri migrants and shall continue to do the same for all times to come.
“The BJP government had made promises to rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandit migrants in the valley but those proved to be a cruel joke as no steps were taken in this direction since 2014,” he said.
Gupta appealed to the migrant community to strengthen the hands of Farooq Abdullah and NC vice-president Omar Abdullah by supporting all three party candidates in the parliamentary polls — Mian Altaf Ahmed from Anantnag-Rajouri, Aga Syed Rahullah from Srinagar and Omar Abdullah from Baramulla.
“There is no better option for Kashmiri Pandit migrants than to wholeheartedly support and vote for the NC candidates in the valley,” he said.
The Srinagar constituency will go to polls on May 13, Baramulla on May 20 and Anantnag-Rajouri on May 25. The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4.
‘Politics Of Hate Needs To Stop’
Abdullah accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to create a fear psychosis among Hindus to stay in power and said he no longer talks about the issues of the common people that propelled him to the top post in 2014.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister asked people to stay away from “this divide-and-rule politics”.
Addressing a rally in the Khanyar area of the city here in support of the NC’s Lok Sabha poll candidate Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Abdullah said, “Modi is trying to create fear among Hindus and to create that fear, he is telling them that your mangalsutras will be taken away and sold to give money to Muslims. Are we such bad people that we will snatch mangalsutras from our mothers and sisters?”
The member of Parliament from Srinagar said the prime minister is telling Hindus that if the INDIA opposition bloc comes to power after the ongoing polls, their savings will be taxed and if they have two houses, one would be taken away and given to Muslims.
“He is creating hatred among Hindus towards Muslims and then he says Muslims produce more children. God gives children. Many (people) do not have (children). What does he know about children when he does not have any? He did not even value his wife, how could he have valued his children,” Abdullah asked the gathering.
He accused the prime minister of trying to “create hatred” in the country and said “we are against it”.
“We pray to god to bring him (Modi) down. He is lying,” Abdullah said.
The veteran leader, who is not contesting the Lok Sabha polls due to his health conditions, said Modi no longer talks about the issues of the common people that propelled him to the prime minister’s post in 2014.
“When he came to power in 2014, he used to raise the issue of the price of LPG cylinders. The price of a domestic gas cylinder was Rs 400 at that time. He used to raise the issue of price rise, and unemployment.
“Ten years have gone by and what is the price of a gas cylinder now? It is Rs 1,100. Diesel prices have risen, cooking oil prices have gone up, the prices of vegetables, mutton etc. have increased. He (Modi) installed smart metres that run even when there is no electricity,” Abdullah said.
He asked people to remain cautious and stay away from “this divide-and-rule” politics.
Later, talking to reporters, Abdullah said the prime minister should answer whether he is the PM of only a few people or the entire country.
“I consider him my prime minister. But his politics of hate needs to be stopped so that India can be saved,” he said.
The NC president said it is “unfortunate” that the country’s prime minister and home minister were giving statements that are “creating tension among different communities”.
“We will not need enemies from outside, we will have enemies inside. And when there is tension within the country, how will you fight with China,” he asked.
Abdullah further said that terrorism will not stop unless India and Pakistan become friends.
On the BJP’s assertion that the situation has changed in Kashmir and political parties were conducting elections rallies freely after the abrogation of Article 370, the NC president said he used to roam the Valley in 1996 as well when terrorism was at its peak.
“When my house was targeted with bombs, I did not stop… When they raised Indian flag at Lal Chowk, they came with a battalion, but I was never afraid,” he added.
On Modi’s remark that he did the biggest service by implementing the Constitution of India in Kashmir, the former J-K chief minister asked, “Were we not Indians enough before the abrogation of Article 370?”
He said the NC and INDIA alliance will not allow the BJP to change the Constitution. “Our major fight is against that,” Abdullah added.
Referring to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the former chief minister said all top officials in the Union territory are outsiders.
“Be it SSPs (senior superintendents of police), DCs (deputy commissioners) or any other bureaucrats — all of them are from outside. We have to fight this. We have to show them (the BJP-led Centre) that we do not accept the decisions of August 5, 2019,” he said.
On August 5, 2019, the Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution that had conferred special rights on Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union territories.
Abdullah also asked the voters to check the electronic voting machines (EVMs) while exercising their franchise.
“When you vote, make sure you check the EVMs. See if the light turns on, so that your votes are not wasted. Check the VVPATs as well. Government agents will try to bribe you, but you have to remain cautious and honest,” he said.
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