Kashmir Chose Bapu Ka, Nehru ka Hindustan, Where All Indians Were Equal | Farooq Abdullah | Kapil S

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“We were a Muslim majority state, could have easily gone to Pakistan. But we chose Bapu ka Hindustan and Nehru ka Hindustan where all Indians were equal”

Farooq Abdullah, the doyen of Jammu & Kashmir speaks of the erstwhile state’s history, the present, contemporary politics and how Ram’s name is being distorted for political gain. In an interview with Kapil Sibal in Central Hall for The Wire, he said that with China and Pakistan both on our borders, fighting a war is not be in India’s interest. “Ask Ukraine and Russia”. India’s strength is its diversity. People come to see Chashme Shahi and Shalimar bagh to see different kinds of flowers blooming. India is vast and known for its diversity. Attempts to subjugate it or make everything the same will hurt India.
He spoke of “lies being spread about Pandit Nehru. His sagacity in not going to war and annexing more territories, India was just emerging. Sardar Patel agreed with the route he took. We have to be grateful to Nehru for ensuring that Poonchh and Rajouri are with India else Pakistan would have annexed those.”
“It is a travesty that we, who stood by India, and looked after it in Kashmir are facing the gravest crisis today.”
Abdullah spoke about how Ram was revered by all sections of Indian society including Muslims and his life and message is of inclusion and not division. It is of love and humility, he is not any one person’s but belongs to all. He must not be used to divide India, said Abdullah.


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