STATE TIMES NEWS
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir stayed with India because Mahatma Gandhi said it was a country for all, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said on Thursday as he, joined by several other opposition leaders, demanded early holding of assembly elections in the Union territory.
At an event held in the national capital on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the veteran leader stressed that Article 370 was a temporary article because a plebiscite was supposed to happen in Jammu and Kashmir, which was never held.
The event was attended by Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, former MLA Yusuf Tarigami, Kargil politician Sajjad Hussain Kargili, DMK MP Kanimozhi, NCP’s Supriya Sule, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and RJD MP Manoj Jha, who endorsed the demand for polls to be held at the earliest.
Abdullah said, “The tragedy of Jammu and Kashmir is that from the time India got independence and two dominions were created, (Pakistan’s founder M A) Jinnah thought Kashmir was in his pocket. He didn’t realise it’s not….”
“Many say Article 370 was a temporary thing…. You must realise it was so because a plebiscite had to decide which dominion we had to go to,” the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said. “You have to realise a Muslim majority state decided to remain in a Hindu majority India. We could have gone to Pakistan, what brought us here was Gandhi and his utterance that this nation is for all,” he said, adding that communal division is on the rise in the country.
“Kashmir never asked for independence, we are part of this nation,” he said, adding that it has been in turmoil since independence.
“Delhi has played its game and it continues to play its game. It was the same in first prime minister Jawaharlal) Nehru’s time, it is the same today,” he said.
Abdullah also said there was a trust deficit with the government.
He also stressed on the need for a dialogue with Pakistan and said, “Whether they agree or not, as long as there is no dialogue with Pakistan infiltrations will continue and many will die…. Any tragedy between India and Pakistan affects Muslims in India in a great manner…. Who are you to decide if I’m Pakistani or Indian.”
Addressing the gathering, Yechury said what is happening in Jammu and Kashmir is not only a humanitarian issue but destruction of the India that was created after independence.
Referring to the government’s claims about normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, Yechury questioned why elections were still not being held there.
“This must be treated as abnormal…elections should be held in J&K immediately,” he said. Extending his support to the demand for elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said it is shameful that elections have not been held there for nine years. He also stressed on the need for humanitarian approach in search and cordon operations, and raised concern over the increase in the number of deaths of security personnel.
RJD MP Manoj Jha referred to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and called it a party which is known for “burning bridges”, not building them.
“It’s not only about Kashmir. They are using it as fodder in north Indian politics. Unless that fodder is challenged it will be difficult,” he said.
