Concerned about overwhelming atmosphere of fear & hatred in India: Farooq Abdullah

Kolkata: Member of Parliament and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday expressed grave concerns about the overwhelming atmosphere of "fear and hatred" in India. He said he firmly believes that the Kashmir issue may be resolved through dialogues between both India and Pakistan and also through development and job creation in the Valley.

However, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre had been reluctant to sit across the table and initiate talks with Pakistan which has further aggravated the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. No development has taken place in the districts with industrialists refusing to set up their units. Unemployment among the Kashmiri youth has alienated them from the mainstream. Dr Abdullah was speaking during an interactive session with Sitaram Sharma, president of Bharat Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata on Friday.

"The government at the Centre has taken a stand not to talk unless Pakistan stops sponsoring terror across the border. If the government sticks to its decision, how will it settle the matter? Army is not the solution to our problem, nor the police or CRPF. The Prime Minister said they wanted to win hearts of the masses. You would not be able to win hearts by guns and bullets," Dr Abdullah said. "Dividing the people along religious lines has been complicating the situation even more in the state. Muslims do not feel that they have an existence here. Where have we taken this nation to," asked the president of the National Conference (NC).

He also categorically mentioned: "Pakistan must also stop cross-border terrorism. They continue to sponsor terrorism along the international border. I don't know whether it happens following instructions from China.

"Final solution does take place as some elements have been carrying out genocide in this part of Kashmir. They are saying that matter in their part of Kashmir is settled. How is it settled? They handed over a part of Kashmir to China. How can this side of Kashmir be a disputed area," Dr Abdullah maintained.

The veteran NC leader also categorically emphasised that unless terrorism is checked by Pakistan, there is no way to solve the problem. People in Jammu and Kashmir are suffering every day. There is fear among the youths and peace is essential for them.

The only way forward is to end the terror and sit across the table for discussion.

He further maintained: "We have created a nation where there is so much fear and hatred. Have we been able to build that India where we can survive together in happiness? No. We have created an India where there is fear and hatred... Please love each other and understand each other's pains."

He cautioned that a day might arrive when the oppressed class will revolt against the privileged men and the politicians for not giving them their due. "As a nation, we must try and remove class and communal disparities and treat our neighbours with kindness and love."