Amritsar, Feb 27: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where he offered prayers and later spoke on the importance of unity and the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Addressing reporters, Abdullah lamented the divisive politics in the country, stating, “Bharat belongs to everyone—Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Jains, and even those without religion. The fire of division has been ignited for political gains. This should not have happened. India will remain united only if its people stay united.”
Responding to concerns about the treatment of minorities, he emphasized collective resilience, saying, “If any Indian faces difficulties, we must stand together, as we have done before and will continue to do.”
On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s status, Abdullah reiterated his stance: “It is no longer a state; it has been downgraded to a Union Territory. We hope statehood will be restored.” When asked about the region’s condition post-Article 370 abrogation, he urged people to visit and assess the situation firsthand.
Highlighting broader governance concerns, he criticized the central government’s disconnect from state-level issues. “Every state has its own challenges, but the Centre fails to acknowledge them. If we truly want a united India, we must understand everyone’s struggles. The US President says ‘America First’—why don’t we say ‘India First’?” he questioned. [KNT]
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