Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah asked why a Ram temple should be built in Ayodhya as Lord Ram is omnipresent and belongs to the world.
Notably, during a discussion after the launch of Congress leader Manish Tewari’s book “Fables of Fractured Times”, Abdullah said, “Lord Ram belongs to the world and is omnipresent. Why do you want to build a temple in Ayodhya?”
This was, however, countered by JD(U) leader Pavan Verma who asked, Why can’t Ram temple be built in Ayodhya. “If Hindus want a temple in Ayodhya, as it is the birthplace of Ram, why not build the temple,” the JD(U) leader asked.
Abdullah, however, went on to ask whether one was ready to accept a Supreme Court verdict in the matter. “You want to put the Supreme Court in cold water,” the National Conference leader alleged and asked whether we are living in a democracy.
“Why not build a temple at Sitamarhi in Bihar for Goddess Sita,” Abdullah further asked. “All Muslims have said they will abide by what the court says,” Abdullah said, to which Verma replied, “Now we are in agreement.”
Asserting that governors should not be puppets in the hands of the Centre, Abdullah said, “They should be men of integrity who uphold the Constitution.”
Abdullah further noted, “Our governor does not even have a fax machine. How could they have sent us a communication? Would God have descended from heaven to tell us.”
He also stated that the Congress should have given the Bharat Ratna award to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he was in good health. On the occasion, Abdullah also asked the Congress to allow regional leaders to grow and said the party was suffering as it did not do so.
Asserting that nobody can divide India as long as the people remain united, Abdullah said that India would be able to prevent any future terrorist attacks as long as “our own house remains united”.
He also claimed that it was because of the people of Kashmir that terrorists are being killed and Pakistan will not success to separate Kashmir from India. “Our successes are not because of intelligence but because common people are fed up with terrorists and they are giving exact information,” Abdullah added.
“Pakistan is a rogue state. It is dependent on its army. But if we are united, nobody is so powerful to divide this country,” he said. “Ram does not need my vote nor does Allah need our vote. The elections are not being fought on developmental issues,” he lamented.
“Do not mistrust Indian Muslims. We are a part of this land. We have never taken directions from Pakistan. We decided not to participate in the elections because they (BJP) were playing with Article 370 and 35A,” he concluded .
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