SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said he would not be deterred by being dubbed “anti-national” and would continue advocating dialogue with Pakistan, according to Firstpost.
He said the beneficiaries of peace in the wake of friendly relations between the two countries would be the people of Indian occupied Kashmir, who decided their future seven decades ago.
AFP will not be deterred by being dubbed anti-national for speaking the truth, which is to have a meaningful peace process with Pakistan,” the former chief minister said while addressing a day-long party youth convention in Rajouri
Invoking Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to emulate the former prime minister’s spirit and start a new era of trust and friendship in the region.
He said the two nations would have to realise, sooner or later, that nothing but talks hold key to end hostilities. “Let you carry forward the mission of Vajpayeeji,” Abdullah said.
“Peace will remain elusive until the two neighbours sit together and work towards ending their differences in an amicable atmosphere. Wars are no solution; wars cause only destruction,” Abdullah said.
The National Conference president further said that votes should be sought on the plank of nation-building, development, upliftment of poor and not by exploiting religion.
“In this grim scenario, the youth have to play a crucial role by negating and isolating all such forces which hoodwink them by generating fear about religion being in danger,” he added.