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Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, who is currently one among the Cabinet Ministers, has accused the Government for havening ‘‘bias against Kashmiri Muslims’’ and has demanded the Centre to stop such a mindset.
‘‘We’re a Muslim majority area and proud of it. We aren’t terrorists and don’t treat us like that,’’ he said and adding that the ‘‘bad treatment’’ upsets people, making them raise protests and agitations.
‘‘It’s time we were treated as equals and this bias was washed away,’’ said Farooq, while he was talking at the 15th Indian Distance Education Association Annual Conference in Srinagar. ‘‘Think of us as you think of yourself,’’ he said, referring to the Centre.
He has urged for the promotion of the positive image if Jammu & Kashmir. ‘‘Tell your friends and relatives that we’re peace-loving people. Islam teaches us to be peaceful. It doesn’t teach us hate, but love and respect. That is the message you should take back from Kashmir,’’ he said amid thundering applause.
Farooq said Kashmiris are proud people and not beggars. ‘‘We may have made mistakes in the past, but there is nothing that can’t be rectified.’’
He also criticized the Services team, which had shown dissent for playing Ranji Trophy in Srinagar.
‘‘Services apologised after doing the damage. It’s unfortunate that those who say we’re here to protect you didn’t play the game,’’ he said. ‘‘The services decision damaged Kashmir’s image beyond imagination.”
