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| Let us pray for peace in Pakistan: Farooq | | | Srinagar, July 29
From advocating war on Pakistan to praying for peace in that country, it has been a major climb down from a hard to soft stance adopted by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah during the past several years.
Speaking at a function here last evening, he cautioned that the situation in Pakistan will affect several countries in the region, including India. ''India's peace and prosperity depends on the situation in neighbouring Pakistan...Let us all pray for peace in Pakistan,'' Dr Abdullah said.
The National Conference (NC) patron said the Jammu and Kashmir government and some politicians were be-fooling the people in the name of demilitarisation of the state.
''Some politicians beat the trumpet of demilitarisation and project it as a solution to the Kashmir issue. But, ironically they live under the security of the troops. If these politicians are really serious on demilitarisation, they should first seek withdrawal of their security,'' he added.
On the other hand, Dr Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad too was projecting relocation of troops as demilitarisation. ''This is sheer hypocrisy. They are all, infact, be-fooling the people of the state,'' he added.
The NC leader asked the people to be ''cautious'' as the Assembly elections were nearing and these political parties would ''stoop to any level'' for votes.
''They will attract you like jugglers and magicians do on streets and also show you false dreams. Don't fall into their trap. They will use you and then make you fight with each other. But let me assure you that till the NC flag is flying, nobody will make you slaves,'' he added.
The former Chief Minister said the people had seen many tragedies but nobody was concerned about them. ''Some leaders talk of azadi (independence) and others demilitarisation. Has anybody ever sought to know what the people actually want?'' he asked.
About the migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, Dr Abdullah said the accusations that Muslims were responsible for the exodus were baseless.
''The children of Kashmiri Pandits nurse a grudge that their parents were forced to leave the Valley by the Muslims. But, I want to tell them and everybody that they were driven out of Kashmir by circumstances and not the Muslims,'' he added.
Similarly, Dr Abdullah said the Muslims were not responsible for Partition of India and the subsequent bloodshed. ''It happened due to prevailing circumstance at that time.'' He expressed concern over targeting of Muslims saying, initially the Australian authorities portrayed Indian doctor Haneef Mohammad as a ''terrorist'' because he is a Muslim.
''Now after the public outcry, the authorities have dropped all charges against him. We are all suspects,'' he added.
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