Dr. Farooq Abdullah Calls for Unity to Safeguard J&K’s Identity and Brotherhood
National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday stressed the need for unity and solidarity at all levels to preserve Jammu and Kashmir’s unique identity, individuality, and centuries-old tradition of brotherhood. He was speaking at a convention held at Town Hall Dooru Shahabad as part of the party’s public outreach campaign.
Dr. Abdullah said that conspiracies to erase Jammu and Kashmir’s existence are still ongoing, and it is the duty of every conscientious citizen to resist and defeat these designs. “Every native of this land must play their role and, above all, demonstrate unity and solidarity,” he emphasized.
Criticizing the central government, Dr. Abdullah said, “We have always worked with sincerity with successive central governments, but in return, we were deceived. Promises were made to us repeatedly, only to be broken later.”
He added, “Let me be clear – we are not slaves to anyone. We have always aspired to live with dignity, honour, and peace.”
Referring to the conversion of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory, Dr. Abdullah said, “In the history of the country, no state has ever been turned into a UT. On the contrary, UTs have been granted statehood. Jammu and Kashmir was made a UT because it was a Muslim-majority region, and we continue to face discrimination because of that.”
He also questioned the delay in holding elections for the two vacant Assembly seats and four Rajya Sabha seats in J&K. “By-elections are being held in other states for vacant seats, so why this delay only in Jammu and Kashmir?” he asked.
Reaffirming the party’s commitment, Dr. Abdullah said, “We have fought for our rights in the past, and we will continue to do so in the future without any hesitation.”
He also urged party workers to begin preparations for the upcoming Panchayat and Municipal elections and made it clear that the National Conference would not form any alliance with other parties in the upcoming polls.
The convention was organized by the party’s Provincial Secretary and in-charge of Dooru constituency, Syed Tawqeer Ahmad. Prominent leaders present at the event included senior leader and former Cabinet Minister Sakina Itoo, Anantnag District President and Pahalgam MLA Altaf Kaloo, Pampore MLA Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi, Kokernag MLA Chowdhary Zafar Khatana, along with other office bearers, DDC members, block presidents, local delegates, and ward representatives.
