Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday gave clarion call to youth to come forward in a big way and play their useful role in steering out the state from challenges confronted to it due to political uncertainty and lack of governance. “Youth has a very crucial role to fight myopic politics being played by vested interests to divide Jammu and Kashmir on regional and communal lines”, Dr Abdullah said while addressing the party workers at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan this afternoon.He said fragmenting society into bits and pieces is against the composite ethos of the State, which has all along been nurtured and sustained by National Conference even at the altar of sacrifices. He said the state is home to divergent faiths and cultures, which makes it unique across the country. “We have to grow as a vibrant state where equal opportunities are available to Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians”, he said and urged the youth to strengthen these values by maintaining unity and peace. He hoped the people will unitedly stand against forces determined to dismantle the pluralistic way of life in the state. He said that Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are one and they have to stand together for the future progress of the state.
Referring to obtaining political situation in the State, Dr Abdullah asked the cadre to gear up and be ready for meeting any challenge in near future. “Political workers must always remain ready to face public scrutiny”, he said adding that presence of National Conference in nook and corner of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is a redeeming factor to fight elements inimical to its unity and single entity. He said National Conference has always stood strongly against divisive forces and foiled their repeated attempts to destabilize the State and create impediments to peace and harmony. He said the party will always play its designated role to strengthen the bonds of amity and brotherhood.The National Conference President expressed happiness over reconstitution of various wings of the party and hoped these will become an engine of change. “It is incumbent upon workers to fan out in their areas and work towards the betterment of people in their humble way by highlighting problems and seeking their resolution”, he said and urged the women workers to make their units strong at the grass roots level.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana said the party was determined to take head on the forces inimical to communal harmony and single entity of the State. He said the party will foil the machinations of those who were hell bent to destroy the multi-grain social fabric of the state.Later, Dr Abdullah interacted with a delegation Minority Cell of National Conference.The Kashmiri Pandit representatives highlighted various problems confronted to the community in camps and outside the camps, especially in respect of jobs to unemployed educated besides their rehabilitation as a whole.Dr Abdullah referred to initiatives taken by National Conference from time to time with regard to their dignified and safe return back to their homes and hearths besides other measures in the colonies in the Jammu region.
He reiterated that Kashmiri Pandits form inalienable part of Kashmir society and the bondage between different sections in the Valley have withstood test of times even after the unfortunate migration. He said Kashmir will always remain incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and assured that whatever initiative is needed to be taken, National Conference will remain in the forefront.Speaking on the occasion, Political Advisor to NC President, Mr Vijay Bakaya said that various wings of the Minority Cell have been reorganized in order to make these vibrant at grass roots level.Mr Bakaya also enumerated the initiative taken by National Conference led government for the welfare and well being of the displaced community.
Among those present in the workers meeting and interaction with KP migrants included State Vice President Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari Th Kashmira Singh, State Secretary Th Rachpal Singh, Chairman ST/OBC Cell Babu Ram Paul,, Provincial Vice President Mr Jugal Mahajan , Mr Gurdeep Singh Sasan, Choudhry Haroon and Mr Bashir Ahmed Wani, Provincial Youth National Conference President, Mr Ajaz Jan, Provincial President Women Wing Satwant Dogra, besides former legislators Mrs Bimla Luthra and Mr Bushan Lal Bhat, Mr Dharamvir Singh Jamwal, Mr Surinder Singh Bunty, Mr Abdul Gani Teli, Mr Vijay Lochan, Mr Mohinder Singh, Mrs Dilshad Begum, Mrs Pinki Bhat, Mr M L Munshi and others.