Srinagar, Aug 31: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah stressed the importance of protecting religious diversity in India, a day after the Assam Assembly discontinued the practice of providing a two-hour break for Muslim legislators to offer ‘namaz’ on Fridays.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Abdullah said, “This country is known for unity in diversity. We have every religion and every language… every state has a different culture, and that is why India is a federal structure. We have to protect every religion.”
The veteran politician’s comments come in the wake of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s announcement that the state assembly would discontinue the two-hour break provided on Fridays for Muslim legislators to offer prayers. This rule is set to be implemented from the next assembly session.
Abdullah, while not directly criticizing the Assam government’s decision, expressed optimism about future changes. “When the time comes, it will change. Nothing is permanent. Good things will prevail again,” he stated, adding, “We will tell them, let our government come, not to indulge in such activities.”
The NC leader also emphasized the importance of religious harmony in Jammu and Kashmir, urging local residents to respect and protect people of all faiths. “We have to take care of people from every religion. When our approach towards them is good, then it will be good across the country,” Abdullah remarked.
When asked about PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s criticism of Omar Abdullah’s recent comments on the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), Farooq Abdullah refrained from engaging in political sparring. Instead, he called for unity and focus on protecting the country. “Nothing will come out of pointing fingers at each other. She must shun this way,” he advised.
Abdullah also congratulated former members of the banned JeI for their decision to contest assembly elections, viewing it as a positive step towards democratic participation.
The NC president concluded his public appearance by visiting the Sufi shrine of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoomi, where he prayed for an end to “chaos in the country” and the strengthening of brotherhood between different communities.
Add a comment
