Demanding release of all mainstream political leaders in Kashmir including Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, National Conference on Sunday appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to start dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We condemn extending the detention of National ConferencePresident Dr Farooq Abdullah under Public Safety Act by three months. We demandhis release along with all other mainstream political leaders under detentionin Kashmir,” National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana toldmedia persons here.
Rana said that extending the PSA detention despite DrFarooq’s immense contribution towards nation building and peace in Jammu andKashmir was “sad and unfortunate.”
He recalled the observationsof former Prime Minister Atal BihariVajpayee as leader of the Indian delegation at the UN, describing Dr Abdullahas “a towering patriot.”
“Extension in the detentionof Dr Farooq Abdullah is the biggest setback to democratic polity apart fromundermining the contribution of a towering leader who stood tall in mostturbulent situations,” Rana said.
“National Conferencebelieves in democratic values. Its founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah rejectedTwo-Nation Theory of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and tied its destiny with secular anddemocratic India,” he said, describing Dr Farooq Abdullah as a nationalistleader.
“Dr Abdullah is the main torch-bearer of mainstream politicalleadership in Jammu and Kashmir and absence of political leaders has created avacuum, which is neither in the interest of Jammu and Kashmir nor India,” Ranastated.
“Farooq Abdullah does not need certificate of nationalismfrom anyone. If he has been booked, we think that it is done with a motive toput an end to mainstream thought.”
‘START DIALOGUE PROCESS:’
Expressing concern over the absence of any politicalinitiative, Rana appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to start politicalprocess in Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen democracy.
“People of different parts of Jammu and Kashmir havedifferent aspirations. To meet their aspirations, the Government must startdialogue process and release all detained leaders in Kashmir,” he demanded.
‘SITUATION NOT NORMAL IN J&K:’
“Why did the Governmentdetain three-time Chief Minister and former Union Minister Dr Farooq Abdullahif the situation is normal?” Rana said in response to a question.
He said that when former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wasbeing detained in Kashmir, in his last tweet he had appealed for peace.
“If peace is in danger due to Dr Farooq Abdullah, OmarAbdullah and National Conference, I think there is no one who can take forwardpeace process and democracy in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
On a question, he said, “On Articles 370 and 35A, NC has madeits stand clear that after the release of the leadership we will call a WorkingCommittee meeting under Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah and accordinglydecide the future course of action.”
“On policy matters, WorkingCommittee of National Conference will decide what needs to be done and no oneis authorized to speak on party’s behalf,” he made it clear.
“We have learnt through newspapers that new leadership maybe created in Jammu and Kashmir. Political leadership comes from among thepeople, hence dialogue process should start,” Rana suggested.