Sheikh Abdullah decided to stay with India in 1947: Farooq Abdullah

Jammu, Nov 17: National Conference (NC) President and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah Sunday asserted it was Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah’s call that J&K, despite being a Muslim-majority state, “stayed with India” in 1947.

Reiterating that the NC manifesto was clear in its stand on Article 370, he reassured that the new government would fulfil all promises made to people in the next five years.

NC President stated this while addressing the gathering and responding to media queries in a function organised to pay tributes to veteran Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma on his birth anniversary, here.

“Had we (J&K) decided to join Pakistan in 1947, none could have prevented us as J&K was a Muslim majority state then. But Sher-e-Kashmir (Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah) took a stand and decided otherwise. His (Sheikh’s) assertion was – ‘If we have to join a country, we will stay with Mahatma Gandhi’s Hindustan.’ So we (J&K) did not go elsewhere,” Farooq recalled.

The NC President was the chief guest on the occasion.

“But they all have forgotten it, particularly the present ruling dispensation (at the Centre). It is spreading a wave of hatred and division. To pursue its divisive politics, it is trying to attack Congress also,” Farooq reiterated.

Regarding PDP President Mehbooba Mufti’s statement asking NC to clear its stand on the resolution passed in the Legislative Assembly and Article 370, he said, “She should not have stated this as NC manifesto is very clear on it.”

While addressing the gathering, Farooq also announced that a suitable place would be identified to “install a statue of the veteran Congress leader Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma to honour his immense contribution to Jammu and Kashmir's politics.”

Besides, he emphasized the importance of the annual Darbar Move as a “tradition that promoted unity and harmony among all regions.”

“The primary objective of this traditional annual move was not only to bring together two regions but also to enhance trade and community relations,” he added.

He expressed his disappointment that the BJP viewed this tradition as a hindrance to its agenda, leading to its discontinuation. “It will bridge divisions, a goal that the Omar Abdullah-led NC government is actively pursuing,” he said.

Attacking the BJP, he said that the current state of affairs in Jammu, particularly in terms of roads and infrastructure, exposed the lack of concern the BJP had for the region.

Highlighting the former deputy chief minister’s ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Abdullah also shared a heartwarming anecdote about him (Mangat Ram Sharma).

JKPCC President Tariq Hamid Karra also remembered him (Mangat Ram Sharma) as a people's man, whose doors were always open to everyone, regardless of caste, creed, or colour.