‘Don’t be afraid Bhole Nath is waiting’
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, May 27: National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah today urged people across the country to shed their fears and visit Kashmir, describing the Valley as safe, welcoming and more affordable than ever.
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In an exclusive interview with the Excelsior on the sidelines of a special Cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, Abdullah said the fear that followed the recent attack in the area has now subsided. “Tourists should visit the Valley without any hesitation. The people here are ready to welcome them,” he said.
-Excelsior/Sajad Dar
The NC chief also played a round of golf at the Pahalgam Golf Course with friends. “I think that fear should go away. Come to this Valley. See its beauty, breathe its clean air, and listen to the sound of the Liddar River and the forests. Where else will you get this?” he said, gesturing toward the snow-capped peaks and lush greenery.
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Abdullah praised the local tourism industry for lowering prices to attract more domestic visitors. “Air tickets are cheaper now. Hoteliers and others have reduced rates for their brothers and sisters across the country. This is the right time to visit,” he said.
Welcoming today’s Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Pahalgam, followed by interactions with hoteliers, taxi operators, and police officials, the NC chief called it a “strong message” that the Government is fully present in the Valley to support them and that there is no reason to fear. “This will give courage to people who depend on tourism – taxi drivers, poneywalas, shopkeepers. The Government is listening to them now,” he said.
On the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, Abdullah appealed to pilgrims to visit without fear. “Bhole Nath is waiting. Do not be afraid. Life and death are in God’s hands, not ours. Show that we are with the country,” he said.
Responding to political speculation, Abdullah dismissed rumours of a rift within the NC, particularly with MP Agha Ruhullah, affirming party unity and reiterating the NC’s stance on Article 370. “We have never abandoned 370. It is our fundamental right. But first, let Statehood return. People are struggling to afford even a bowl of food.”
He blamed rising inflation for worsening poverty in the region. “Just look at the prices of food, oil, gas, electricity. People are suffering. We must focus on solving their problems first.”
Calling the NC “a party of the people,” Abdullah said the public continues to place its trust in the party despite repeated attempts to weaken it. “Even when we were not in power, they tried to break us. Who left? One Devender Rana from Jammu, one Surjeet Singh Salathia. No one else. How much did they try?” he asked.
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