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Resolution will pave way for debate: Abdullah

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah Tuesday announced that the autonomy resolution passed yesterday by the State assembly had paved the way for a national debate and added that a ministerial team will visit New Delhi and other state capitals to brief all political parties on autonomy.

"We are not for weakening the territorial integrity of India," he declared, winding up a debate on autonomy in the special session of the legislative council. He said, "With two-thirds majority in the state legislature, my party could have straightaway got through a bill giving constitutional status to this important issue." But, he added, the resolution was adopted to pave the way for a national debate.

"We are not for confrontation. We want to assure the nation that we don't want to go away from India. Our future lies in India and not Pakistan. No one should nurture this impression that we are anti-Indian,'' he asserted in an hour-long speech amid thumping of desks. He appealed to politicians not to paint them anti-Indian and create mistrust and hatred between various communities just to garner Hindu votes.

"The document is now before people of various thoughts. Let them convince us against it or get convinced by us," he said. The chief minister regretted that in academic discussions political thinkers agreed to what "we say", but when it comes to implementation "they affix a label of anti-Indians on us".

He said, "India does not belong to Hindus alone. It is the abode of all religions."

He asserted, "India will remain together only when people are united."

Taking a dig at Civil Aviation Minister Chaman Lal Gupta and opposition leaders, Abdullah hoped that they "would eschew the tendency of infuriating Buddhists, Dogras and Kashmiri Pundits''.

"The flames of hatred will engulf us all.'' Abdullah said he was never averse to talks with anyone anytime, but added that "if talks could be held with the people who talk of jihad and azadi, what is the harm in talking to those who want a solution within the parameters of the constitution?''

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