New Delhi, Nov 01 (KINS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Sunday addressed the INDIA bloc’s mega rally in Delhi, where he spoke about the rights of Muslims, alleged deletion of voters’ names from electoral rolls and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir would remain part of India.
Addressing the gathering, Farooq Abdullah criticised what he described as attempts to portray Muslims as Pakistanis, saying the community had made sacrifices for the country and continued to contribute towards its progress.
“These people keep pointing fingers at Muslims and say that they are Pakistanis. I want to tell the BJP and RSS that we have given our blood for this country. We have given our blood before, we are giving it today and we will give it tomorrow as well,” he said.
Farooq said Muslims wanted to live in India and contribute towards strengthening the country.
He maintained that patriotism should not be questioned on the basis of religion.
Raising concerns over the alleged deletion of names from electoral rolls, Farooq questioned the Election Commission and claimed that more than one crore Hindu voters had been removed from the voter lists in Uttar Pradesh.
“Are they Pakistanis as well?” he asked, questioning what he described as attempts to target particular communities over their identity.
Emphasising India’s religious diversity, Farooq Abdullah said people belonging to different faiths, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians, were all Indians.
“They are all Indians. Indians will die, Indians will live,” he said.
Referring to the Constitution of India, Farooq said the Constitution framed under the leadership of Dr B.R. Ambedkar guaranteed equality to every citizen, irrespective of religion.
“This is Ambedkar’s Constitution. This is India’s Constitution. We are all equal in this. We will all vote equally,” he said.
He also called for collective efforts to ensure that no eligible Indian citizen was deprived of the right to vote, stressing that voting rights were essential to protecting democracy.
Urging people not to fear those in positions of power, Farooq Abdullah said the real strength of democracy rested with the people.
“The power is in the people. Use that power. Strengthen that power,” he said, encouraging citizens to exercise their democratic rights.
He further said India’s progress depended on all sections of society moving forward together, adding that the country could not become strong if any section or region was left behind.
Reiterating his position on Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah said the region had been part of India in the past, remained part of the country and would continue to do so.
“Jammu and Kashmir was Indian before. It is still a part of India today, and it will remain a part of India tomorrow as well. They will not be able to remove it,” he said.(KINS)
Farooq Abdullah says J&K was, is and will remain part of India
