‘Mistrust between New Delhi, Kashmir biggest tragedy’
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 2: National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today called for the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits and an end to communal divisions, saying Kashmir’s identity is rooted in its shared, plural ethos.
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Speaking at the launch of ‘Healer in Exile: The Untold Story of Dr Sushil Razdan’, at an event attended by members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, Abdullah urged those who had left the Valley to return.
“I urge you to pray that those who have left Kashmir come back to their homes and live with us in joy,” he said, describing their departure as “the greatest loss.”
Emphasising Kashmir’s composite identity, he said the region “is not just Muslims,” but belongs equally to Hindus, Sikhs and others.
“That is what makes Kashmir,” he said, expressing hope that such a vision of the Valley would be restored.
Abdullah called on people to “leave hatred behind,” warning that continued divisions along religious lines would only validate the two-nation theory.
“Until we stop differentiating between Muslims and Hindus, we are proving the two-nation theory right and making it succeed,” he said, reiterating that he has never accepted the idea and “will not accept it till my last breath.”
He also urged a shift away from the current course, saying the country’s progress depends on preserving its diversity.
“If we truly want to take India to the top, we must remember that it is unity in diversity. We have to protect that diversity. If we fail to hold it together, we will never make India great,” he said, adding that India can only survive “when we all stand together and live together.”
Referring to Kashmir’s political and social trajectory, Abdullah said that despite the presence of religious slogans in the past, people in the region chose a different path.
“There were calls of ‘nara-e-takbeer’, but we did not choose that path. We chose the path of Mahatma Gandhi,” he said, adding that Gandhi’s values must be revived.
“We are holding on to that path, but Gandhi died-he was erased. We have to bring that Gandhi back to life.”
Acknowledging that some people present on the occasion may not support him or his party, Abdullah said he harbours no hatred. He was apparently referring to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was also present, as well as to members of other political parties.
“I do not hate anyone. We have to go forward together, and if we do not, it will lead to destruction for us as well as for them,” he said, urging people to “leave the path of falsehood and hold on to the truth.”
He further said that the “ray of hope” seen in 1947 by Mahatma Gandhi must be rekindled and extended across the country.
Flagging mistrust between New Delhi and Kashmir, Abdullah termed it “the biggest tragedy for this nation” and said it must end for the situation to improve.
Others who were present on the occasion and spoke included Iltija Mufti, Abdul Rahim Rather, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, Naeem Akhtar, and several others.
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