The head of the National Conference, Farooq Abdullah, on Tuesday welcomed the celebration of Kheer Bhavani Mela and Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani’s Urs, called it a symbol of communal harmony in Kashmir. He emphasized the importance of unity for national progress.
Talking to Annie, Farooq Abdullah said, “It is a matter of pleasure that Kheer Bhavani’s fair and Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani’s Urs are being celebrated today. There has always been brotherhood’s brotherhood in the valley. We want to see this brotherhood across the country. If we stay united, we will progress …”
Kheer Bhavani Mela is an important annual religious festival for the Kashmiri Pandit community. It is held at Kheer Bhavani Temple in Tulla Mulla village in Gandarb district. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ragni Devi as Goddess Durga, and is considered one of the most sacred sites for Kashmiri Hindus.
Abdullah appealed to visit Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra, expressing concern over the decline in pilgrim numbers after a recent terrorist attack in Pohlgam.
“We should go to Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra and appeal to people to go there. Mother Vaishno Devi has decreased the number of devotees.
People were recently after the tragedy of the war. The influence of the Pahalgam incident was seen across the country … ”Abdullah told Annie.
Earlier, Abdullah had urged tourists to return to Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the region wants peace, not violence. He expressed concern over the negative impact of terrorist attacks on tourism and the livelihood of the people in places like Pahgam, especially ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra.
Speaking to ANI in Pahgam, Abdullah said, “The Prime Minister has sent the delegation (to various countries). They can send the message that we want peace and we are not in favor of war … Innocent people should be stopped from killing.”
He said that the local economy, especially in Pahalgam, was due to the April 22 attack.
“This year, we expected people expect people to come, and we have no place to accommodate them. But unfortunately, people who kill innocent people did not see what would happen (for taxi drivers, hotel owners, pony owners) … We sell the beauty given by God and are alive … what has happened.