Forge unity, not let regionalism, other prejudices divide us: Farooq

Srinagar, Mar 24: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Sunday urged the people across the state to forge unity for addressing common challenges that the state is facing saying that he desires a society free from communal strife, social injustice and inequality.
Addressing a gathering of people at Batwara, Sonwar Abdullah said that the whole cluster of human virtues like empathy, compassion, kindness, generosity, and forgiveness forms the core of Islam and that the need of the hour is to imbue our lives with these intrinsic qualities of Islam.
“We should repent and ask for forgiveness from Allah Almighty. My father Sher-e-Kashmir drew his energy from the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He withstood political shenanigans, oppression and confinements for the protection of the state’s special character and integrity. Now it is for the youth to shoulder that legacy of his, however we cannot put up a strong front against those as are inimical to the special constitutional position of our state unless we forge unanimity and not let regionalism, communalism and other prejudices divide us,” Abdullah was quoted by the spokesman as saying.
“Our state is facing a grim situation, the communal forces and their cronies in the state are contriving to destroy our special character, however it is up to us now to make clear to them how passionate we are about our integrity and special status,” he said adding, “The forthcoming elections provide us with a vital opportunity to clean the country and the state of communal filth. I am sure that people have made it a point to give a befitting reply to such forces as are hell-bent to destroy the pluralistic visage of the country.”
Party president later participated in the Fateha Khwani of late Ghulam Nabi Wani at his residence at Batwara. Party president visited the grief-stricken family of late Wani and personally extended condolences to Ex MLC Sheikh Ghulam Qadir Pardesi and YNC provincial president Ahsan Pardesi. He prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the grief-stricken family.