Acts of fringe groups undermine country’s secular foundations: Dr Farooq

Srinagar, Aug 12: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Tuesday condemned the recent act of vandalism by a fringe group at a revered Sufi saint’s tomb in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, calling it a deliberate attempt to undermine the country’s secular foundations, said a statement.

In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Farooq said, “The desecration of any place of worship is unacceptable, but the targeting of a Sufi shrine which represents India's age-old tradition of syncretic culture and spiritual inclusivity is particularly distressing. This is not just an attack on a tomb, but on the very idea of India as a land where multiple faiths have coexisted peacefully for centuries.”

He added that Sufi shrines and tombs across the country have long stood as symbols of communal harmony, drawing people from all religions, castes, and backgrounds.

These sites embody India's unique blend of spiritual traditions and must be preserved as shared heritage. Dr Farooq warned that such actions not only provoke unrest but also play into the hands of those trying to divide the nation, said the statement.

“I urge both the Uttar Pradesh government and the central authorities to identify and punish the culprits without delay. There must be no leniency towards those who seek to disrupt communal harmony.” Dr.Farooq also called upon religious and community leaders to collectively denounce such acts and work toward strengthening the values of tolerance and coexistence.