pandits-won-t-return-till-j-k-terror-is-rooted-out-farooq

National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley will remain elusive unless terrorism is completely eradicated from Jammu and Kashmir. He also urged Pakistan to stop fomenting unrest and instead seek friendship with India for mutual progress.

 

“Until they (Pandits) feel in their hearts that they are safe here and can roam around freely, they will not come back,” Abdullah told reporters on Friday.

 

The former chief minister stressed that the onus was on both the government and the people of Kashmir to establish a secure and welcoming atmosphere for the Pandits’ return.

 

“We have to create those conditions, and that cannot happen through speeches but by action. If we really want to bring them back, we have to start acting in that way,” Abdullah said.

 

He added, “We also need to tell our neighbour (Pakistan) to stop the terror now. Enough is enough. We cannot become theirs (Pakistan), but we can live as friends. Till there are remnants of terror, there will be fear, and this (the return of Pandits) will not happen.”

 

He further criticised the closure of the historic Jamia Masjid on Fridays, calling it “wrong”.

 

“They should never close the Jamia Masjid, as prayers are offered there. That is wrong and should not happen,” he said.

 

On the issue of separatist leaders distancing themselves from the separatist movement, Abdullah dismissed the notion that separatism had ended.

 

“Who left separatism and who did not? Name them. Who among them were big leaders? This is being done to show that it (separatism) has died in them, which is wrong,” he said.

 

Referring to restrictions on Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdullah said such moves do not reflect peace in the region.

 

“Tell me, what will be achieved by the closure of the Jamia Masjid or by restricting (Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz) Umar Farooq? Can it indicate to the country that we are living here in peace?”

 

The NC president also said that his party would challenge the Waqf Amendment Act in the Supreme Court.

 

“We will approach the Supreme Court. What else can we do in this situation?” he said.