Srinagar, April 12: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah today congratulated the Government of India (GoI) for extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana.
He however took a dig at the BJP over its promise of bringing back money.
“I congratulate them that at least they brought someone back. But they also claimed to bring back the black money and give Rs 15 lakh to everyone, what happened to that,” Farooq Abdullah told reporters when asked about Rana’s extradition to India from the US.
Asked about the PDP protest against the Waqf Amendment Act Farooq Abdullah said, “It is a good thing. Let them protest. This is a free country.” About the party’s stand on the Waqf Amendment Act, Farooq Abdullah said the party will approach the Supreme Court to fight it. The NC President said that the Government should refrain from shutting down Jamia Masjide on Fridays and allow people to offer prayers.
Talking to reporters, Dr Farooq Abdullah questioned the government on what it has gained from shutting down Jamia Masjid. “What will be gained by shutting down Jamia Masjid today? Will it show our country that we are living here peacefully,” Farooq Abdullah asked. “Will it show them that Mirwaizi Umar Farooq cannot go there? Will it show to them,” he said. He said closing down Jamia Masjid was wrong.
“Whatever they are doing is wrong. They should not do it (close Jama Masjid). They should never shut down Jama Masjid,” he said. The people offer prayers, remember God and keeping Jama Masjid open brings people together. “This is wrong. They should not do it. That’s it,” he said.
On return of Pandits he said that shutting down Jama Masjid will shadow on return on Kashmiri Pandits. “When the government continues to shut down Jama Masjid how can they convince Pandits to return,” he said.
Farooq Abdullah said that the hearts of Kashmiri Pandits should feel that they are safe here, they can roam freely, their mothers, sisters, brothers, children can walk properly, “They will only come once their hearts feel safe here. We have to prepare for those conditions. This will not happen through speeches, it will not happen through our speaking, it will happen through actions,” he said.
Farooq Abdullah said if the government really wants to bring Kashmiri Pandits here, then we will have to prepare for that and will have to tell our neighbours (Pakistan) to stop this terrorism.
“It is too much. It is too much. We cannot become like them (Pakistan). We can stay in friendship, but we have to stop this (terrorism).
He said everyone is afraid of terrorism irrespective of their religion. “Our brothers and sisters, wherever they are, can stay alive and can progress further only if this terrorism stops. We cannot progress as long as this terrorism continues,” he said.
He said innocent killings will continue all the time as long as our neighbors (Pakistan) do not understand that we have to stay in friendship. “I remember the saying of Atal Bihari Vajpayee , that friends can be changed, but neighbors cannot be changed. If we maintain friendship, love and affection, then both the countries will progress. If we stay in hatred, then the progress of both the countries will slow down,” he said.
He further said that Theatre performance was important and it brings people together and portrays them the truth. “We should promote theatre,” he said.
