Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) President Farooq Abdullah extended a heartfelt invitation to Kashmiri Pandits to return to the valley, asserting that they are welcome at any time. Addressing reporters on Monday, Abdullah reminisced about his efforts to rehabilitate them during his tenure as Chief Minister, despite the challenging circumstances of that period.
“When I was the Chief Minister and when Article 370 was there – I tried to rehabilitate them (Kashmiri Pandits) but the situation was bad those days. Who is stopping Kashmiri Pandits from coming here? It’s their decision when they want to come. Our hearts are open for them,” Abdullah stated.
Concerns Over Religious Discrimination
In the same interaction, Abdullah voiced concerns over the perceived insecurity among Muslims in India. He emphasized the importance of treating all communities equally, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
“There is no doubt that Muslims are feeling unsafe. I will ask the government of India to stop that. 24 crore Muslims cannot be thrown into the ocean. They (the government) should treat Muslims equally. There is no discrimination based on religion in our Constitution,” he said.
The NC leader also warned against undermining constitutional principles, cautioning that doing so could have dire consequences for India’s unity and integrity. “If they destroy the Constitution, where will India remain?” he asked.
Congress Calls for Judicial Intervention
Meanwhile, Congress MP Imran Masood expressed concern over recent court orders permitting surveys at religious sites, cautioning against the potential for unrest. He urged the Supreme Court to intervene and uphold the Places of Worship Act of 1991, which seeks to preserve the status quo of religious sites as of August 15, 1947.
“The Supreme Court should take cognizance of this matter. The kind of decisions the lower courts are taking will lead to mayhem. Somebody will claim something under the temple, mosque, or church. This will create a situation of anarchy in the country,” Masood stated.
Legal Efforts to Protect Religious Harmony
Congress leaders Alok Sharma and Priya Mishra have filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to restrict courts from entertaining such pleas. The petition also called for directives to states to ensure compliance with the Places of Worship Act.
As debates over rehabilitation and religious harmony continue, leaders across political lines stress the need for unity, constitutional adherence, and a balanced approach to sensitive issues affecting India’s social fabric.