Srinagar, Nov 29: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said some policies and actions pursued in various states across the country are providing political patronage and cover for bigotry against Muslims resulting in marginalising them further.
In a statement issued here, Dr Farooq said, “Various legislative and other actions that include banning of Halal marked food in some states have legitimised discrimination against Muslims. There is no place for bullying and oppression and sectarianism in a democracy, the message of social, economic and political justice, freedom of thought, expression, belief, religion and worship and equality constitute the very soul of our constitution. It has been recorded and these characteristics have given India the distinction of being a secular and democratic country all over the world.”
He further said that such “overtly targeted actions” in some states send a very clear message to more than 200 million Muslims in the country that they “must bear every humiliation and injustice with silence”. “I think it’s bad for democracy. Especially the secular democracy we were brought up on, we were told it would be fair to minorities, fair to everybody. We were told that India belongs to everyone and that the government will work for the welfare of every community. However the government action in these states is taking the country in the wrong direction,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Abdullah visited the Kamangar Pura area of Saraf Kadal to express condolence with the bereaved family of the noted businessman Khawaja Abrar, who breathed his last earlier this week after a brief illness.
The NC chief was accompanied by the party’s Chief Spokesperson and In Charge Constituency Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, and Publicity Secretary Mir GM Saqi on the condolence visit.
Joined in by party local unit functionaries and other senior leaders, Dr Farooq offered fateha for the deceased and prayed for peace to the departed soul in the highest echelons of Jannah.
