Post three election wins, Rahul no longer a ‘Pappu’: Farooq
Kolkata: National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah Friday said Congress president Rahul Gandhi is no longer a “Pappu” and has proved his mettle as a leader by winning elections in three Hindi heartland states.
Speaking at an event here, he also questioned the need for the BJP’s proposed RathYatra in West Bengal and wondered whether the party wants to project itself as a saviour of the Hindus.
“Rahul Gandhi is no longer a Pappu. He has proved his mettle by wining three states,” Abdullah said during an interactive session.
Gandhi has often been mocked by the BJP and his opposition as “Pappu”, a colloquial sneer.
Abdullah took on the government saying institutions like the RBI are being polluted under the present regime. He alleged that efforts are being made to divide the country on religious lines.
“It is wrong the way they are trying to divide the nation on the basis of religion. The way there has been interference in Muslim religion and its practices is unfortunate,” the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said.
Expressing concern over the prevailing atmosphere of “fear and hatred” in the country, Farooq Abdullah said no religion was greater than the other.
“No religion is greater than the other. When I look into your eyes, I see my God, when you look into my eyes, you see your God. Because there is no difference. The creator is the same,” the veteran politician said at the 11th edition of ‘World Confluence of Humanity, Power and Spirituality’ here.
The National Conference (NC) leader urged people to understand and respect people of other communities.
“Have we been able to build that India where we can survive together in happiness? No. We have created an India where there is fear and hatred… Please love each other and understand each other’s pains,” he said.
Observing that no one cared about religion during blood transfusion in hospitals, Abdullah said, “Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians have the same blood flowing through their veins.”
He apprehended that a day might arrive when the oppressed class revolts against the politicians and privileged sections for not giving them their due.
“As a nation, we must try and remove class and communal disparities and treat our neighbours with kindness and love,” he added. (PTI)
Press Trust of India
