NEW DELHI: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah on Thursday joined a group of singers to perform the devotional song, “Tune Mujhe Bulaya Sherawaliye, Main Aaya Main Aaya Sherawaliye.”
The NC leader was attending a religious event at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine at Jammu’s Katra. He was seen donning a traditional red-coloured scarf associated with the shrine.
During the event, Abdullah addressed the contentious issue of the ropeway construction project in Katra, voicing his support for local residents protesting against it. He targeted the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for proceeding with the project without adequately considering the interests of the community.
“Those running the shrine’s operations should not take actions that harm the interests of the local people or create problems for them,” Abdullah said. He praised the residents of Katra for their resilience in opposing the project, saying, “You showed courage and fought bravely to stop it. They have realised that power lies with the people, not the government.”
Former J&K CM also highlighted the power of collective action, pointing out that the people have the ultimate authority to shape or dismantle governments. He mentioned that officials are now consulting the community to determine a more suitable location for the ropeway.
He also expressed concern for locals who rely on the shrine for their livelihood. “The people living in these hills come here to earn their livelihood with the blessings of Mata, but they have been forgotten. Those in power think they are everything, but they are not. When the power of God prevails, all else fades. Just look at what is happening in California,” he said.
Abdullah also mentioned the universality of religious teachings, saying that all faiths share common core values but are often misused by individuals for personal gain.