Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday appealed to Naxalites to abandon violence and join the democratic mainstream, while strongly condemning the recent attack on Farooq Abdullah, president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference.
Describing the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable in a democracy, Athawale said the Centre stands firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which he said has witnessed considerable progress since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India in 2019. He also reiterated that statehood for the Union Territory could be restored in the near future.
“The attack on Abdullah is unfortunate and condemnable. He has always supported strong relations between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India. There may be ideological differences, but we must respect democratic values. No one has the right to take someone’s life,” Athawale told reporters.
Appeal to Naxalites
Referring to the government’s efforts to curb extremism, Athawale urged Naxalites to renounce violence and follow the democratic path advocated by B. R. Ambedkar.
“Killing someone does not solve problems. If you fight for justice by killing people, you destroy yourself and others. The solution is to come into the democratic system, contest elections and raise your voice in Parliament and the assemblies,” he said.
He added that the government supports the demands for justice for the poor, tribals and people living in remote regions but stressed that violence cannot be the solution.
Security and Development in J&K
Athawale said Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, had spoken with Farooq Abdullah and directed authorities to strengthen his security arrangements.
Highlighting development initiatives, the minister said the government led by Narendra Modi has focused on infrastructure, connectivity and economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in northeastern states.
He cited expansion of national highways under Nitin Gadkari, rapid progress in railway projects and extension of rail connectivity toward Kashmir, including the construction of major tunnels.
On Economy and Trade
Athawale also defended the government’s economic policies and criticised the Indian National Congress for opposing the India–US trade agreement.
He said the agreement with the United States would boost employment, strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and support economic growth. He also rejected criticism by opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of spreading misinformation.
Fuel Supply and West Asia Conflict
Commenting on the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Athawale said India is monitoring the situation closely but currently has sufficient reserves of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.
He said Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, has informed Parliament that India has fuel stocks adequate for around two months.
Athawale also emphasised that India maintains strong diplomatic relations with countries including Iran, Israel and the United States, which helps maintain stability in supplies despite disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict.
