Srinagar: Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of dividing the nation on the basis of caste, creed and religion, National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah said that people should not fall prey to the divisive agenda of the saffron party.
“These people (BJP) want to change the very framework of the Constitution of India, which grants equal rights and opportunities to everyone. It is the constitution of India which grants rights to profess any faith. It is the same constitution that confers upon our state certain constitutional safe guards,” Dr Abdullah, who is the NC candidate for Srinagar parliamentary seat, said while addressing a public meet in Mir Bahri Dal in the city on Sunday.
Dr Abdullah said it is the same constitution which grants J&K state a special status by means of Article 35 A and Article 370. “These people have always shown abhorrence for our special status and special constitutional position,” he said, adding, “The other day BJP came up with its manifesto which explicitly reflects the hatred BJP boasts for the identity of our state. They have forcefully vowed to do away with the provisions of Art 370, Art 35 A in that manifesto.”
Lashing out at the BJP, he alleged that BJP’s sole agenda is to change the demography of J&K.
However, he said they are playing with fire. “To meet this purpose they have employed various henchmen in our state, such cronies can be seen holding ink pot and apple in their hands. The sole aim of BJP and its cronies is to make non state subjects buy land and property in our state,” he alleged.
The NC president said that the ensuing parliament elections are significant since it will decide if India remains secular or not. “Our fight is with the divisive forces. We should utilize our power of vote to show such forces as are inimical to our special status their right place. They can go to any extent to grind their axe; they will use men, money and machinery to coerce the voters. However, the need of the hour demands us to remain united and vigilant of their machinations. This time we are voting for our identity and the integrity of our state. Any mistake by us will have serious repercussions for the coming generations of ours,” he said.
He said that NC will not allow anybody to fiddle with states special status. “We have been and will continue to protect the identity, integrity and pluralistic character of our state. We would not allow anyone to abridge our rights,” he added.
