New Delhi, Nov 1: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday questioned the claim that many voters deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were infiltrators, asking whether Hindu voters allegedly removed from the rolls in Uttar Pradesh were also “Pakistanis”.
Addressing an INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan here, Abdullah accused the BJP-RSS of repeatedly questioning the loyalty of Muslims by calling them Pakistanis and said they too had sacrificed their lives for the country.
“They are pointing fingers at Muslims all the time, calling them Pakistanis. I want to tell the BJP-RSS, we have given our blood for the country. We have to live in this country and strengthen it,” he said.
At the rally, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti warned that the Constitution was being hollowed out.
In an apparent reference to the claims about removing infiltrators through the SIR, Abdullah questioned the Election Commission over the reported deletion of over one crore Hindu voters in Uttar Pradesh.
“Over one crore Hindus have been removed in UP. Are they also Pakistanis? How long will you give this excuse?” he asked, accusing the poll body of “vote chori”.
He said people belonging to any religion were Indians and would live and die as Indians, invoking the Constitution to underline their equal rights.
“This is Ambedkar’s Constitution. We are all equal and every citizen has equal voting right. We have to ensure no Indian is denied the right to vote,” he said.
Urging people not to be afraid, Abdullah said the power rested with citizens and called for unity to save the country.
He also asserted that Jammu and Kashmir was, and would remain, part of India, before ending his address with “Jai Hind”.
Addressing the rally, PDP president Mehbooba warned that the Constitution was being hollowed out and alleged that the Centre was transferring the country’s assets to a “corporate friend” while neglecting the poor.
“Seeing you people, it feels you understand the problem and can change the situation in the country. If you don’t change it now, it will be too late,” she said.
Mehbooba also alleged that land was being handed over to corporates at throwaway prices and that the government’s employment promises had not been fulfilled.
“They promised jobs, but even those who proudly joined the Army have been made daily wagers,” she said.
Questioning the BJP’s claims of championing Hindutva, she referred to the alleged donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
“They have stolen donations from the Ram temple. What can be a bigger shame?” she said.
She said the Constitution gave people the right to elect their representatives and change governments and alleged that the government wanted to take away that right.
Referring to the 2019 developments in Jammu and Kashmir when Article 370 was abrogated and the state was divided into two Union territories, the former chief minister said the people of the region had experienced the consequences of the Constitution being hollowed out.
“We, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, have been destroyed. They hollowed out the Constitution in 2019. But you should ensure they don’t make the whole country Jammu and Kashmir. We are with you,” she said.
Calling Jammu and Kashmir the soul of India, she ended her address saying, “Sare jahan se achchha Hindustan hamara”.–(PTI)
