'Equal Vote for All': Farooq Abdullah Slams BJP, RSS at INDIA Bloc Rally
Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti slam BJP and RSS at INDIA bloc rally, defending constitutional rights and J&K's place in India.
In a powerful display of political defiance, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah addressed a massive INDIA bloc rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. Speaking against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Abdullah delivered a stinging critique of the BJP and RSS, while reaffirming the unwavering bond between Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Union.
Defending Patriotism and the Constitution
Farooq Abdullah took a strong stand against the narrative that seeks to question the loyalty of Muslims in India. He accused the BJP and RSS of attempting to paint Muslims as outsiders and unfairly labeling them as "Pakistanis."
With emotion and conviction, Abdullah asserted that the sacrifices made by Muslims for the nation are undeniable. "We have given our blood for India. We gave it in the past, we are giving it today, and we will give it tomorrow," he declared, challenging those who question the patriotism of the community.
Invoking the legacy of the architect of the Indian Constitution, he reminded the crowd that the democratic framework of the country ensures absolute equality. He emphasized that under Ambedkar's Constitution, every single citizen possesses an equal vote, regardless of their background.
J&K's Place in India
Addressing the geopolitical and emotional sensitivities surrounding the region, Abdullah made a definitive statement regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that the region was, is, and will always remain an integral part of India, adding that no force would be able to separate it from the nation.
Mehbooba Mufti's Warning on Democratic Rights
Adding to the momentum of the rally, People's Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti shifted the focus toward the erosion of constitutional safeguards. Reflecting on the seismic political shifts that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir following the 2019 constitutional changes, Mufti warned that the right to vote and the power to change governments were under threat.
Mufti alleged that there are active attempts to snatch away the democratic rights guaranteed to citizens. She pointed to the experience of the people of Jammu and Kashmir as a cautionary tale for the rest of the country.
"We, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, have been ruined. In 2019, they destroyed the Constitution there," Mufti stated. "But now you must save yourselves, lest they turn the entire country into Jammu and Kashmir."
Concluding her address, the PDP leader urged citizens across India to remain vigilant and protect their democratic freedoms, promising that the leaders from Jammu and Kashmir stand shoulder to shoulder with those struggling to preserve the Constitution.