'Pak, Militancy Responsible For What Happened In J&K': Azad Amid Debate On Kashmiri Hindu Exodus

Ghulam Nabi Azad had previously declined to comment on 'The Kashmir Files', a film directed by Vivek Agnihotri that has garnered widespread attention since its release on March 11.

File Photo: PTI

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday said that Pakistan and militancy are responsible for the situation in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

As per news agency ANI, the statement was made referring to the 1990 exodus and killings of the Kashmiri Pandits.

"I believe that Mahatma Gandhi was the biggest Hindu and secularist. Pakistan and militancy are responsible for what has happened in J&K, it has affected all Hindus, Kashmiri pandits, Kashmiri Muslims, Dogras," the former chief minister said while addressing a gathering in Jammu.

In his speech, he further stressed that "Political parties may create a divide 24x7 on basis of religion, caste, and other things. I am not forgiving any party including mine."

"Can we not leave our party lines aside to be together in celebration and death?" he asked.

"Civil society should stay together. Justice must be given to everyone irrespective of caste, religion," the Congress leader emphasised.

#WATCH ...Political parties may create a divide 24x7 on basis of religion, caste & other things; I'm not forgiving any party incl mine...Civil society should stay together. Justice must be given to everyone irrespective of caste, religion: Ghulam N Azad, Cong at an event in Jammu pic.twitter.com/2OCo76ny4x

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2022

Notably, Azad had previously declined to comment on 'The Kashmir Files', a film directed by Vivek Agnihotri that has garnered widespread attention since its release on March 11.

The film is attracting conflicting views as several senior leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have appreciated it while Opposition leaders like Omar Abdullah and Jairam Ramesh have criticised its depiction of the Kashmiri Hindus' exodus.

 'The Kashmir Files' has been declared tax-free in several states including Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Goa, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand.