Srinagar, Oct 26 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has said Kashmiris never disowned their accession to India, asserting that his attachment to the country was rooted in the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Addressing a party workers' gathering in Baramulla recently, the former chief minister as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) said he had never denied being an Indian and had repeatedly expressed his affection for the country.
“I have never said that I am not an Indian. I have repeatedly said that I have treated India with love. Gandhi has treated India with love. Nehru has treated India with love,” Dr Farooq Abdullah said.
“We never expected that a time would come when Muslims and Hindus would be persecuted,” he said.
Dr Farooq Abdullah reiterated that Kashmiris had never rejected their Indian identity and voiced concern over the growing divide between the two communities.
His remarks came amid a political controversy over his comments at the same event on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's repeated references to Kashmir.
Dr Abdullah had also questioned the Centre's intentions towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir and said Pakistan was protecting their interests by raising the Kashmir issue at international forums.
The remarks drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who accused the National Conference president of making anti-national statements. (KNS)
J&K,Business,Education,National,City,Sports,Tourism,Crime,Health,Legal,Technology,International,