Responds to Jamaat, says time to unite against RSS
Says stone pelters want resolution of Kashmir issue, not tourism
Srinagar: Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘choice between terrorism or tourism’ statement, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said that stone pelting youth have nothing to do with tourism as they are ‘sacrificing their lives for the nation’.
Abdullah added that stone pelters will prefer starvation but will keep pelting stones for a ‘resolution of the nation’ which is acceptable to the people.
“PM Modi while inaugurating the tunnel had said that the youth in Kashmir should choose between tourism and terrorism. I want to tell him from this stage that the tourism is our life and there is no doubt about it. But the youth throwing stones have nothing to do with tourism. They are not sacrificing their lives for tourism but for the resolution of Kashmir issue, “said Abdullah while addressing party workers at NC headquarters in Srinagar.
‘Yaad rakhye, Modi Rizq dene wala nahi hai, Allah hai. Woh hai Razaaq! (Remember, Modi is not the provider, Allah is)’
He added, “You have to understand that if he (stone pelter) is giving away his life, it’s not for tourism but for this nation and for a resolution which is acceptable to the people.”
Abdullah went on to say that Modi is not the ‘provider’, Allah is.
“Yaad rakhye, Modi Rizq dene wala nahi hai, Allah hai. Woh hai Razaaq! (Remember, Modi is not the provider, Allah is), “said Abdullah.
He also pointed out that Muslims have never interfered in Hindus’ religion and they should do the same.
“I have sung Bhajans so many times myself. But we Muslims have never interfered in their religion and they also should not interfere in our religion.”
The three-time former Chief Minister welcomed American mediation between India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir issue.
“In case the two neighbouring countries (India-Pak) fail to resolve the Kashmir issue, US should act as mediator, “Abdullah urged.
The NC leader said that US has many times asked for mediation but India has always shown reluctance in involving them in the issue.
Abdullah also responded to Jamat-e-Islami’s call that they will support him if he takes concrete steps for Islam. The former Chief Minister said that it’s our cultural and religious identity which the Sangh cannot reconcile with.
“Jamaat has said that they will support me if I take concrete measures for Islam and to them I say that our very political existence and identity as a people is under threat today and this is primarily due to our cultural and religious identity which the rightwing cannot reconcile with, “said Abdullah.
He reiterated that at this juncture, people should rise above smaller differences and fight the RSS with unity.
