Statehood will address issues confronting J&K: Farooq Abdullah

Jammu, Nov 15: National Conference (NC) President and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah Friday, while reiterating the demand for early restoration of statehood, stated that it (statehood) would address issues confronting J&K.

He also vowed that the Sikh community would have “its representative not just in the J&K Government but in the Legislative Assembly as well, very soon.”

Asserting that J&K belonged to only its citizens and none else, he asked the Sikh community to fight for its rights.

The NC President was addressing the Sikh Sangat at Gurudwara Chand Nagar in Jammu this evening, on the auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti.

The former chief minister joined by other senior NC leaders also paid obeisance at Gurudwara on this occasion.

“I take a vow before the Guru Granth Sahib here in this programme that the day will come soon that your community will have a representative not just in the (J&K) government but in the Legislative Assembly as well. We will make all-out efforts for it. (For it) Centre should restore statehood at the earliest possible because it (statehood) can address our issues,” the former chief minister said addressing the gathering.

“Pray to Guru Sahib on this auspicious occasion for the return of peace and prosperity in J&K. Pray to get rid of bureaucratic rule (completely). Earlier, officers wouldn't listen to anyone. Now after the establishment of democratic government, see the change in the Secretariat. People go there (Secretariat) as they have great hopes from six ministers that they will listen to them and redress their grievances and deliver justice,” Abdullah said.

“I need to remind Sangat (gathering of Sikh devotees) that in 1996 when I came, the first thing I did was to ensure representation to Sikhs so that they (Sikh community) too had a voice in the political corridors as their rightful due. I fielded a Sikh candidate against a Sikh candidate (of opponents) only, at the very last moment. However, he was defeated. Notwithstanding this, I made him minister so that he could listen to your grievances and redress them,” Farooq struck the right chord with the community in his inimitable manner.

“I fought with the Union Minister in his office chamber pleading the cause of the Sikh community asserting they were not there only to work as drivers or cleaners. Their children too aspired to be doctors and engineers. Their (Sikhs’) wards would face difficulty in security admission in other colleges. So finally, it (my effort) led to the establishment of an Engineering college, named after Mahant Bachittar Singh,” the NC President recalled.

He said he wanted the community to have its Medical College as well. “But you still did not establish the one to date. You should have. This is your responsibility, particularly that of DGPC (District Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee). If you want to ensure higher education for your children, you need to establish such institutions of excellence. In those institutes, you should introduce a separate section on AI (Artificial Intelligence). Future belongs to it (AI) across the globe. Focus on it to ensure you don’t stay behind,” he stated.

Claiming credit for introducing Punjabi in the curriculum in J&K, he said, “Who introduced Punjabi (in educational institutions)? I passed it (legislation) stating that their (Sikhs’) mother tongue is Punjabi and it should be taught. Dogri should be introduced where there are Dogri-speaking people. Today even Dogri is being erased.”

Maintaining momentum, Farooq cautioned, “Today people are coming from outside. Your lands are being snatched. They (outsiders) are running your factories. All contracts, even for sand, are being given to them as if J&K people are dumb and they are not fit for any job. You have to change this (practice). This state belongs to you. You (J&K people) hold (exclusive) right on it. You need to understand that you are the owner.”

He said that no one else could claim to be the owner of J&K. “Only J&K citizens, be they from Kashmir or Jammu, are owners. But you succumb to pressure or force and maintain silence.  Why? Until you stand up for your rights, you will not get the same. Bring that spirit in you and gear up. I believe that Punjabi should be taught and Punjabi teachers should be there where your children study. This is necessary for every language including Kashmiri, Bodhi and Shino. These languages should be promoted as they belong to our ancestors,” he said.

Lauding the community for its resilience, he said, “A great thing about the Sikh community is that I’ve never seen any Sikh begging for alms. This is a remarkable thing about the community.”

He praised the role of the Sikh community in upholding the values of humanity and fostering communal harmony. Farooq emphasized the importance of following Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s principles of selfless service, unity, and compassion for building an equal and harmonious society.

He greeted the Sikh Sangat and later participated in the celebrations on the auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti.

Abdullah was joined by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Cabinet Minister Javed Rana and Provincial President Rattan Lal Gupta along with other senior leaders of the party.

The NC President also interacted with the Sikh Sangat, extending greetings and best wishes to the community on the occasion.