Jammu: Dr Farooq Abdullah, President of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and former Chief Minister, accused the BJP Govt at the Centre of exploiting the Kashmiri migrants’ suffering for political gains without genuinely addressing their grievances or ensuring their rightful return and resettlement in their homeland.
The former chief minister was speaking while interacting with a delegation of Kashmiri migrants of camp and non-camp here today. The delegation of Kashmiri migrants was headed by Bushan Lal Bhat, Chairman of J&K NC Minority Cell and Ex MLC.
On the occasion, Ajay Sadhotra, Additional General Secretary and former minister, Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President JKNC were present. Bushan Lal Bhat apprised the Party President about the hardships being faced by the migrant community.
He said that most of the Kashmiri migrant community residing in Jagti, Purkhoo, Muthi, Buta Nagar, Nagrota, Camps, and non-camp migrants settled in Jammu, Kathua, and Udhampur districts, facing huge problems in the absence of basic amenities.
Farooq Abdullah emphasized that the Kashmiri migrants issue is not merely a matter of statistics or political rhetoric but a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention and meaningful solutions. He accused the BJP of exploiting the Kashmiri migrants’ suffering for political gains without genuinely addressing their grievances or ensuring their rightful return and resettlement in their homeland.
The former Chief Minister criticized the BJP’s divisive rhetoric and discriminatory policies, which, he argued, have only exacerbated tensions and alienated communities in the region. He called for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to resolving the Kashmiri migrants’ plight, one that prioritizes human dignity, justice, and reconciliation.
Dr Farooq Abdullah urged the Kashmiri migrants to ensure maximum participation in the upcoming phases of Lok Sabha polling in the union territory, emphasizing the importance of their collective voice in shaping the political landscape of the nation. He asserted that there is a dire need to change the government at the centre so that the problems of the general public as well as Kashmiri migrants can be effectively addressed.
Ajay Sadhotra, the former minister, asked the BJP Govt to reveal what steps have been taken for the welfare of the Migrant community. He said that it is really unfortunate that despite the increased cost of living amid skyrocketing prices and peak inflation the cash assistance being paid to the Kashmiri Migrants has not been enhanced for the past so many years.
He said that the National Conference will remain steadfast in its dedication to advocating for justice, dignity, and equality for all Kashmiri migrants, and will continue to work tirelessly towards the realization of these principles.
Rattan Lal Gupta, in his address, has asserted that the National Conference has always stood for the cause of Kashmiri Migrants and shall continue the same for all times to come. He said that the BJP Govt had made promises to rehabilitate the KP migrants in the Valley but these proved to be a cruel joke as no steps were taken in this direction since 2014.
The Provincial President appealed to the migrant community to strengthen the hands of Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah by supporting all three candidates of the National Conference from the Kashmir valley: Mian Altaf Ahmed from Anantnag – Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency, Aga Syed Rahullah from Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, and Omar Abdullah from Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Kashmir. He emphasized that there is no better option for Kashmiri Pandit migrants than to wholeheartedly support and vote for National Conference candidates in the Kashmir Valley.
