Scared to go outside J&K as muslims being targeted across country: Former CM Omar Abdullah

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said on Saturday that people are scared to go outside the Union Territory as Muslims are being targeted across the country.

"The people are frightened to go outside Jammu and Kashmir because of the prevailing situation in the country, where the first person under attack is a Muslim A dangerous game is being played by exploiting the sentiments of a particular community [against another]," Omar Abdullah said, addressing his party’s workers in Poonch district.

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah took strong exception to the recent developments over azan, 'halal' meat and hijab and said that "some people have problems with everything about Muslims" even though the Constitution treats every religion



equally.

"There should be no religious difference. By pitching one religion against another, India is being destroyed," he warned.

In his address, Omar Abdullah also said that leaders of his party were being called anti-national for advocating talks with Pakistan.

"When it [BJP government] holds talks with Pakistan, there is no problem but when we advocate for dialogue, we are dismissed as anti-nationals," he said.

“They must remember Vajpayee saheb's words that one can change friends but not neighbours. We are reminding them of the statement of Vajpayee so that there is peace on the borders and the border residents can take their livestock across the fence for grazing. War is not going to take us anywhere but friendship will,” he added.