Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that it was time that the Kashmiri Pandits, who were forced to flee their homes after the 1990s exodus, return to their homes as there was peace in the Valley. He expressed hope that they would return soon and stated that his party also thinks about the people of Jammu as well and that the new NC government is “not their enemey”.
Abdullah’s statement came a day after Chief Minister-designate Omar Abdullah staked claim to form a government in J&K, following the support from allies, including Congress, AAP, CPI (M), and Independents.
The NC chief also said that Kashmiri Pandits should return to Kashmir and take care of their homes and assured that they will be welcomed back with open arms. He also added that the new NC government will ensure that they are provided with the required arrangements and initiatives for their return.
Responding to a question about the Kashmiri Pandits, Abdullah said: “I hope that our brothers and sisters who have left from here come back home. Now the time has come, they should return to their homes. We do not think only about Kashmiri Pandits, but we also think about the people of Jammu, we should treat them well, they should also feel that the National Conference government is not their enemy.”
He added that his party does not discriminate between Hindus and Muslims and that everyone should treat them equally. “There’s a place for everyone in Kashmir…We are Indians and we want to take everyone along…” he said.
#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah says, “I hope that our brothers and sisters who have left from here come back home. Now the time has come, they should return to their homes. We do not think only about Kashmiri Pandits, but we also think about… pic.twitter.com/vGOFKGt9aW
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024
The NC had won 42 seats while the Congress won just six seats in the Jammu and Kashmir election 2024. However, after support from Independents and other party’s candidates, the alliance bagged 48 constituencies in the 90-seat assembly. BJP emerged as the second-largest party with 29 seats.
‘New Govt’s 1st Priority Will Be To Unite J&K, End Hatred Spread During Polls’
Abdullah said the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would be on the new government’s agenda. “Our first priority will be to unite Jammu and Kashmir and remove the hatred that was pushed in this election. We are already requesting that statehood must be restored so that the state can work and we can get on with our job.”
The veteran leader made these statements after participating in the Dussehra celebrations. He stated that it was the first time that he was invited by the organisers of the Dussehra event and recalled how he used to watch the programme with his father as a child.
“I was a member of Parliament for the last five years but they did not remember me. But today, when they remembered me, I came and it felt very good. I used to watch this in my father’s time. Our Hindu brothers also used to participate in it. We miss them a lot and I pray to god that the void is filled next year,” he said.
Farooq Abdullah also highlighted the issue of unemployment in the Union Territory, saying that there were jobs available for doctors, medical staff, nurses, and teachers, among other professionals, and that the UT has people who are qualified for the jobs, who need to be employed.
#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah says, “…The biggest issue here is unemployment… Our priority will be to unite Jammu and Kashmir and end the hatred spread in this election. Statehood must be restored so that the state can function…” pic.twitter.com/6TDXgk3mH7
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024
Might Take Oath On Wednesday: Omar Abdullah
National Conference vice president and CM-designate Omar Abdullah stated that if the procedures are completed by Monday, then the new NC government will take oath on Wednesday, October 16.
“President’s rule has been enforced in Jammu and Kashmir from the past six years. We need to prepare Cabinet’s note to end the President’s rule, and then send it to the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Union Home Ministry. All these procedures will get complete by Monday, on Tuesday we will do our preparations, and if the God wants, we will take oath on Wednesday,” he said.
VIDEO | “President’s rule has been enforced in Jammu and Kashmir from the past six years. We need to prepare Cabinet’s note to end the President’s rule, and then send it to the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Union Home Ministry. All these procedures will get complete by Monday, on… pic.twitter.com/5RbNQazPQ4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2024
