National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said he salutes the resilience of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik who has “preferred death over bowing before New Delhi”.
However, he also hit out at separatists for “death anddestruction”, saying boycott of elections has not achieved anything. He urgedthe people to choose ballot over bullet.
“Yasin Malik despite being severely ill is languishing injail these days because he is advocating a dialogue with India but is notwilling to sell self respect of Kashmiris. He has preferred death oversurrender. I congratulate him for that,” said Abdullah.
He was addressing an election rally in Devsar area of Kulgamdistrict. Abdullah, however, attacked the separatists for advocating boycott ofelections.
“What has boycott achieved? The separatists have only ledKashmir towards death and destruction and today the NIA is after them,” hesaid. “If you want to resolve Kashmir chose Sandook (ballot), not gun,” he said.
Abdullah also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for whathe called “damaging the secular fabric of the country and fielding candidateswith criminal background”.
“Today our secular character is in danger. A murderer hasbeen fielded in Bhopal. The BJP should be ashamed of themselves,” he said.
Abdullah said: “They are even dictating to us what to wear.Adolf Hitler adopted the same policy to conquer Europe but achieved nothing.”
He said that NC believes that only a dialogue with Pakistanand Hurriyat can resolve Kashmir issue.
“Those attacking Article 370 and 35A are playing with fire.This time you will be voting for securing your identity which is facingunbridled attacks from all sides,” Abdullah said while campaigning for partycandidate Hasnain Masoodi.