On founder’s birth anniv, NC calls for release of all leaders

Tribune News Service

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Jammu, December 5

On 114th birth anniversary of National Conference founder Sheikh Abdullah on Thursday, a clarion call was made for the release of all political leaders, including three former Chief Ministers.

As the traditional prayers at the mausoleum of Sheikh Abdullah in Srinagar were not allowed by the authorities, the Jammu province unit organised a mega function to mark the occasion in which the founder’s contribution towards the values of secularism and democracy were highlighted.

NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana said it was unfortunate that Sheikh’s son Farooq Abdullah and grandson Omar Abdullah (both former Chief Ministers) were in detention. He said time had come that the Centre reviews its decision to keep the political leaders in detention.

“The most unfortunate part,” he said while addressing a huge gathering of the party workers, was thatthe “towering leader of J&K like Fraooq Abdullah was in detention under the Public Safety Act.”

The party also adopted a unanimous resolution, urging the Centre to win the hearts and minds of people in J&K by reaching out to them and understanding their aspirations. It also called for release of all political leaders.

Referring to the overall political situation post abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, Rana said a call regarding future strategy would be taken by the working committee of the party, over 60 per cent members of which are currently under detention. He said no party functionary was accredited to dwell upon these issues.

Rana said Sheikh Abdullah had rejected the two-nation theory of Mohammed Ali Jinnah and tied destiny of J&K with Gandhiji’s secular India because of his unflinching commitment to secularism and democracy. He recalled the great role of the tallest leader of the Indian sub-continent in transforming Muslim Conference into the NC, as he firmly believed in taking all segments of the inclusive society along.

‘Remembered for rejecting 2-nation theory’

J&K Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir on Thursday said Sheikh Abdullah would always be remembered as a leader who rejected the two-nation theory, which paved way for Kashmir’s accession with India. Paying tributes, Mir said, “It was Sheikh Abdullah’s tall leadership that the Kashmiri people rejected this theory and fought against Pak tribal hordes.”