Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has reaffirmed his commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, expressing confidence that it will be achieved.
“How many days have passed since the new government was formed? How many weeks? Will the statehood come from the sky? I have no doubt that we will get the statehood,” Abdullah told reporters.
The state was bifurcated into two Union Territories following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Political parties in the state have been demanding early restoration of statehood.
Responding to ‘Katenge toh batenge”, Abdullah said that India will become strong when diversity is strengthened
“What does it mean? What is this slogan? I don’t understand what it means… What does ‘Katenge, batenge’ mean?… I don’t know. What are we if we are not one? Is India not one? India has unity in diversity. India will become strong when diversity is strengthened,” Abdullah added.
The slogan was coined by UP CM Yogi Adityanath, calling for Hindu unity but has been widely condemned by the opposition leaders who have claimed communal overtones.
Farooq Abdullah also expressed grief over the loss of children in the Jhansi fire incident, urging the government to provide swift assistance and launch an investigation into the fire incident.
The tragedy unfolded when a fire, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator, quickly spread in the highly oxygenated environment of the NICU, claiming the lives of 10 newborns.
The tragedy has left grieving families devastated, with many still searching for their missing children.