Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU Apr 4: Launching scathing attack on the BJP on the day it re-framed Government in coalition with the PDP in the Jammu and Kashmir State, former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah today said that he had strongly opposed the release of Pak terrorist Azhar Masood by the then BJP led Government at the Centre, being the then Chief Minister of the State.
The former Chief Minister regretted over insensitivity in tackling terrorism by the BJP led NDA Government at the Centre and referred to release of Azhar Masood by the then BJP leadership despite his strong opposition. He regretted the soft stance of the BJP in tackling terrorism firmly.
It is surprising that now the same people are seeking United Nations help in nabbing Azhar who has become a terror monster and a serious threat to civilized world”, Dr Abdullah said addressing a function organised by Kashmir Sikh Sangat here this evening.
While describing growing terrorism as a great threat to the world, National Conference president and former Union Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today called for the collective fight against this scourge. He said that terror has no religion and all have to fight it decisively.
Describing venomous propaganda being unleashed through social media as one of the major factors of growing terrorism, Dr Abdullah urged youth to guard against this and help in carving out a harmonious society in which everyone, irrespective of caste, creed and colour lives in peace and harmony.
The NC president referred to the devastation and destruction caused by terrorism in J&K State and recalled the Chittsinghpora carnage that took several precious lives. He said the perpetrators of that mayhem are needed to be identified and brought to justice. He said the attack on Sikhs had come at a time when the then US President, Bill Clinton was on Indian tour.
“I told him (the US President) to prevail upon Pakistan for ending the terror being spread from that soil”, the former Chief Minister said, adding that he was terribly shocked to see the horrendous site when bodies of innocent people were being cremated that fateful day.
The NC president said that J&K has all along fought elements inimical to peace and harmony unitedly and maintained togetherness despite provocation. He hoped this flame of secularism to remain aloft all the times and envisioned a day when the minorities, Sikhs and Pandits, live in Kashmir, live in peace and harmony with their Muslim brethren.
Referring to the empowerment of minorities, Dr Abdullah said that National Conference has always worked towards welfare and rightful place in the society. He recalled the hiccups caused by several elements at the Centre in granting permission to Mahant Bachhiter Singh College of Engineering in Jammu and said he vigorously pursued with the then Minister of Human Resources Development Murli Manohar Joshi and got the college approved.
The NC president also referred to the representation given to Sikhs by his party in the Government and the State Legislature. “We ensured that Sikhs are represented adequately”, he added.
Dr Abdullah also made a mention of Kashmiri Hindu Shrine Bill and said that despite being piloted by the National Conference Government, some political forces opposed and sabotaged it. “These political parties are now trying to be the Messiahs of Kashmiri Hindus”, he said adding that the Bill was of immense importance in protecting the shrines and temples.
NC provincial president Devinder Singh Rana, president of the Kashmir Sikh Sanghat Sewa Singh and patron Dhanwant Singh also addressed the convention.
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