Don't want to be separated from India: Farooq Abdullah

Don't want to be separated from India: Farooq Abdullah

CNN-IBN 

Posted on Aug 26, 2010 at 17:14

source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dont-want-to-be-separated-from-india-farooq/129652-37.html?from=tn

New Delhi: Union minister for new and renewable energy Farooq Abdullah on Thursday appealed to Parliament to listen to the heart of Kashmiris.

"Those who have died in the firing in Kashmir do not want money, they want justice," he said while admitting Kashmir was not a simple problem.

"Even small kids have started raising the demand of independence for Kashmir. But is this possible, seeing the fact that the area is surrounded by countries like China?" the leader said.

Admitting that Kashmir was not made a part of India by force, Farooq said "we became a part of India on our own."

Making an emotional pitch, he said: "Every corner of our heart has India written on it. Ask the children who are asking for azadi. Can Kashmir have azadi with China and Pakistan waiting to grab it? Are we not seeing Afghanistan, al-Qaeda and Taliban? Kashmir will meet the same fate if it becomes azad," Farooq said.

On firing by policemen and security personnel in the state, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said different non-lethal procedures should be examined and followed to manage protests.

Farooq also urged home minister P Chidambaram and Congress chief to bring everyone together to solve the Kashmir problem. "At the same time when our PM goes across the border or their PM comes here, the message should be given strongly that enough is enough. The country belongs to us and will remain with us," he said.

Claiming even PoK was a part of Kashmir, Farooq said nobody wants to separate from India and those who want to don't know what happens on the other side. "We want to find out a solution within India. Let us all sit together and find a solution. We have to win the hearts and minds of the young people," he said.

He said he had no hatred for Hindus because he believes god is everywhere. "My religion is welcome to you and your religion is welcome to me. That's what makes India so great," the minister said.