Srinagar, 27-12-2023 : National Conference president Farooq Abdullah expressed on Wednesday that he harbors no expectations from the visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Jammu and Kashmir. However, he expressed hope that tragic incidents like the civilian deaths in Poonch would not be repeated.
Speaking to reporters in Kulgam, Abdullah emphasized that he did not anticipate the Defence Minister to bring back the deceased, acknowledging the limitations of such powers. Nonetheless, he urged for measures to prevent the recurrence of such injustices.
Abdullah stated that Rajnath Singh’s visit was prompted by the loss of lives in the region, and he expected the minister to provide solace to the affected families. The backdrop of the visit was the discovery of three civilians who were found dead after being detained by the Army for questioning following a terrorist attack on two Army vehicles in Poonch. The attack resulted in the loss of four soldiers’ lives.
The Defence Minister, accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Army Chief Manoj Pande, flew to Rajouri to assess the security situation at the ground zero following the terrorist ambush.
Regarding Congress’ announcement of the Bharat Nyay Yatra, Abdullah expressed support for Rahul Gandhi’s efforts to unite the country and foster harmony between communities. He mentioned that the National Conference had been part of similar initiatives in the past and would continue to participate.
Responding to questions about his earlier remarks comparing Kashmir to Gaza, Abdullah defended his stance, highlighting the potential consequences if India and Pakistan do not establish friendly relations. He reiterated his advocacy for talks between the two countries, emphasizing the need for dialogue to resolve issues instead of resorting to war.
Abdullah invoked the words of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, stating that while friends can be changed, neighbors cannot. He echoed the sentiment that the current era emphasizes the importance of talks over war in resolving conflicts.
Commenting on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Abdullah expressed a belief that if the United States wished, the war in Gaza could cease. However, he added a critical perspective, suggesting that external forces might have an interest in the ongoing conflict, insinuating that they may want Muslims to suffer.
In reflecting on the historical context of conflicts in the Middle East, Abdullah noted that it dates back to a time when foreign kings targeted Muslims. Despite the complexities of regional and global dynamics, Abdullah expressed a hopeful prayer for a time when talks could prevail, dissipating the clouds of problems hovering over the region.